Within the framework of the Summit of CELAC and the European Union, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addressed an official letter to the member heads of state reaffirming Venezuela’s commitment to regional unity, peace, and the sovereignty of Latin America and the Caribbean. The letter evokes the legacy of the Liberator Simón Bolívar and his call to work “for the inestimable blessing of unity.»
The president highlighted the symbolism of Santa Marta as a witness to the breakup of Gran Colombia and guardian of Bolívar’s voice: «The union of our Americas is not a rhetorical gesture, but the condition of our freedom and the key to our dignity” expressed Maduro in the letter, highlighting the region’s mestizo and sovereign identity as the foundation of its demand for respect.
The head of state warned of persistent attempts at subjugation, comparing the 1815 military expedition to current military maneuvers in the Caribbean: «Today, two centuries later, the forms of the siege have changed, but not its essence,» he noted, referring to the deployment of aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines that have resulted in the execution of civilians.
Given this situation, Maduro made an urgent appeal to the CELAC member countries: «We are obligated to preserve the peace of the region, to join forces as nations, and with one voice demand the immediate cessation of attacks and military threats.» He called for the restoration of justice, peace, and respect for the Charter of the United Nations.
The president urged to transform the Summit into an act of firmness, proclaiming «the unconditional defense of our Americas as a Zone of Peace.» He exhorted to categorically reject the militarization of the Caribbean and the establishment of regional mechanisms for humanitarian cooperation and collective defense.
The letter also condemned the blockade against Cuba and rejected the unilateral coercive measures, demanding the immediate lifting of all sanctions that violate the fundamental rights of peoples and hinder their development: “We do not accept sanctions as a method of political punishment,” he affirmed firmly.
The document concludes with a call for continental unity inspired by Bolívar: “May Santa Marta be the cradle of a new era of continental unity, effective solidarity, and the unrestricted defense of sovereignty.” With this communication, Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to strengthening CELAC as a space for regional integration and political coordination.