Members of the European Parliament and parliamentarians from Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Mexico City from 26 to 28 May for the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat).

The meeting with Conservatives from Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, El Salvador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil, among others, focused on strengthening cooperation between political forces as an alternative to the left, promoting a common agenda inspired by conservative values, mutually beneficial trade relations, and the fight against crime and illegal immigration.

The ECR delegation was represented by EuroLat Vice-President Carlo Fidanza, ECR EuroLat Coordinator Nicolas Bay, and MEPs Nora Junco García, Jessika van Leeuwen, Michele Picaro, and Șerban-Dimitrie Sturdza.

At the end of the meeting, the ECR delegation made the following political statement:

1. In Latin America we are experiencing a historic political momentum: conservative parties are gaining ground everywhere, and we look with great attention and hope to the upcoming elections in Colombia, Peru and Brazil, which will put an end to decades of harmful policies made by the Forum of São Paulo;

2. We strongly reaffirm the historical, cultural and religious bond that inextricably links Europe and Latin America, which are part of the same civilisation, while condemning all “cancel culture” practices advocated by the left on both continents;

3. We are deeply concerned about the attempt to subvert the constitutional order in Bolivia. Evo Morales and his supporters are refusing to accept the outcome of the elections by attempting to overthrow President Rodrigo Paz’s government, to whom we express our support;

4. We support the ongoing transition in Venezuela and call for the democratic process to be completed as soon as possible with free and democratic elections;

5. We are convinced that the Cuban communist regime is nearing its final collapse. We call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the beginning of a democratic transition. We express the same condemnation and hope regarding Nicaragua, hoping the Ortega-Murillo regime will soon end;

6. The recent trade agreements between the EU and Latin American countries represent important opportunities that must be accompanied by the concrete affirmation of the principle of reciprocity, with fair competition also guaranteed by increased control over imports;

7. Security, the fight against drug trafficking and illegal immigration are common challenges, and we want to foster greater cooperation in both regions;

8. Cooperation between Europe and Latin America is also essential in the fields of energy and critical raw materials, with the aim of reducing strategic dependencies and counter China’s economic penetration of both continents.