The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, is traveling today to Honduras, the country where the ninth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) will take place. Additionally, Colombia will assume the presidency of this important international organization during the event.
Petro announced that at the summit, he will advocate for the electrical interconnection of the Americas through clean energy—a topic discussed yesterday in the Council of Ministers following the crisis caused by rising energy tariffs in Colombia.
Petro travels to Honduras to attend CELAC summit and assume its presidency
The Colombian president departed this Tuesday for Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, where he will participate in the annual CELAC summit tomorrow. At the summit, Gustavo Petro will receive the pro tempore presidency of the organization from Honduran President Xiomara Castro.
“I will receive the presidency of the Economic [sic] Community of Latin America and the Caribbean. CELAC. I will prioritize the electrical interconnection of all the Americas with clean energy,” the president stated on his X account.
Just yesterday, Gustavo Petro’s government announced the creation of credits to help vulnerable populations organize energy communities through the installation of solar panels.
As part of his broader push to decarbonize the energy system, the Colombian president champions continent-wide electrical interconnection using clean energy. Weeks ago, during a visit to Panama, Petro suggested that Colombia and Panama could contribute significantly to solving the global climate crisis through this model.
The CELAC summit takes place amid significant economic uncertainty in the region and globally, stemming from the trade war initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump through his tariff policies.
Colombia’s agenda, outlined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to “strengthen regional integration; consolidate strategic relationships with partners such as the European Union, China, and the African Union; and amplify the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean in global forums.”
CELAC, a Latin American and Caribbean integration mechanism
CELAC is an intergovernmental body established in 2010 to strengthen political, economic, social, and cultural integration among Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Its founding marked a significant step toward regional autonomy, operating independently of organizations like the Organization of American States (OAS), where the U.S. and Canada hold substantial influence.
CELAC comprises 33 countries: all nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Cuba, Venezuela, and Caribbean states such as Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, among others.
The organization does not have a permanent headquarters, instead functioning through annually rotating pro tempore presidencies among member states. This year, Honduras held the presidency, which its president will now transfer to Colombia.
CELAC’s primary functions include promoting political dialogue among member countries, fostering regional cooperation on issues like education, health, energy, and the environment, and coordinating common positions in international forums.
Additionally, CELAC seeks to advance inclusive integration that respects cultural diversity and commits to sustainable development. Despite ideological differences among members hindering broader agreements, the organization remains a key platform for pluralistic dialogue rooted in Latin American and Caribbean perspectives.
Related: Colombia’s Petro to Address Trump Tariffs with China and EU Leaders.