Uruguay assumes the presidency of CELAC, which together with Africa rejects colonialism, wars and blockades

Published at: 21/03/2026 09:22 PM

At a historic meeting held in Bogotá, Colombia, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and 19 African nations raised their voices to unanimously reject all forms of domination, from the colonial past and slavery to economic blockades and wars of aggression. In the interventions of several of the attendees, the Global South reaffirmed its sovereignty in the face of an unequal world order.

The forum coincided with the transfer of the regional organization's pro tempore presidency, which was handed over by Colombia to Uruguay for the period 2026-2027.

The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was one of the strongest leaders in urging the leaders of both regions to “face together the colonial heritage”. Lula emphasized that, although Latin America and Africa cover almost half of the world's countries, they are still excluded from major global decisions by a system established under the scheme of apartheid and colonialism.

In this context, most of the attendees supported the initiative of the Chancellor of Ghana, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to formally declare transatlantic slavery a crime against humanity.

The ineffectiveness of multilateral organizations was one of the points of the debate. Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that the UN risks entering into total paralysis due to its inability to stop global conflicts. “If the United Nations cannot prevent wars, someone can perfectly say that they no longer work,” said the host president.

The summit did not ignore Washington's escalation of interventionism in the region. Representatives of several countries rejected the tightening of the blockade against Cuba and the illegal arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who have been kidnapped in a New York prison since January 3.

The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, denounced the executive order with which President Donald Trump imposed a blockade on oil supplies on the island. “Cuba remains firm in the extreme defense of its sovereignty,” he said, reiterating his willingness to dialogue, but without interference.

For his part, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, called for the unity of the Global South to respond to the geopolitical interests of the great powers that use international law as they see fit.

“We are first-level victims of the geopolitical interests of the so-called great powers and the repositories of the consequences derived from those interests,” Gil said.

Uruguay assumed regional leadership. The delivery occurred during a recess of the CELAC-Africa High Level Forum, an event that was initially planned as the X Summit of Heads of State and Government of CELAC. Colombia transferred the leadership of the regional organization to Uruguay in this significant framework.

The Uruguayan president, Yamandú Orsi, said upon receiving the presidency that the region made a profound political decision some time ago: to choose peace. This election is not an empty slogan, but rather a living way of building liberties for Latin American and Caribbean peoples.

Mazo News Team/TELESUR