In a statement released during the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) plenary session in Lima (Peru), ECR MEPs Carlo Fidanza, Michele Picaro, Nora Junco and Nicolas Bay stress the need for a renewed partnership between Europe and Latin America, grounded in democratic principles and concrete cooperation.

Speaking on behalf of the Group, the four ECR MEPs call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, and urge the EU to adopt a firmer stance in defence of fundamental freedoms in the region. The delegation also reaffirms the ECR’s recognition of Edmundo González as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

Europe and Latin America must collaborate to promote fair trade and investment and combat organised crime and drug trafficking, according to the ECR lawmakers. To achieve this, the European Union should take a non-ideological approach to environmental protection, and invest in education, infrastructure and the next generation.

“Europe and Latin America are united by history, culture and values,” said Carlo Fidanza, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to EuroLat. “We see Latin America as a Europe outside the EU. Together, we must shape a future of freedom, security and prosperity.”

The statement frames the current moment as a strategic opportunity, as the new European Parliament and Commission offer the chance to redefine relations with Latin America — both bilaterally and regionally — at a time when geopolitical tensions are rising, and the West must reinforce its unity.

The ECR MEPs also warn against the growing authoritarian influence in the region, particularly the economic presence of China, citing the new Chinese-controlled port of Chancay as an example of Beijing’s ambitions.

“The EU must not sleepwalk into geopolitical irrelevance,” said Michele Picaro. “We need to offer a credible alternative rooted in democratic cooperation and shared prosperity.”

Nora Junco emphasised the need to address artificial ideological barriers to closer cooperation and criticised what she described as the “cultural dominance of the European left” in Latin American policy. “‘We oppose narratives such as the ‘leyenda negra’, cancel culture and indigenismo, which divide our continents rather than unite them.”

The ECR MEPs are calling for a pragmatic EU approach to migration that would promote legal pathways from culturally compatible countries and strengthen cooperation against trafficking networks. The group also emphasises the importance of preserving shared cultural and linguistic ties, including supporting civic associations that honour the legacy of European emigration to Latin America.

Another central priority is the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking. The ECR MEPs are urging deeper cooperation, including joint enforcement initiatives and intelligence sharing.

“We must build a real alliance against the cartels,” said Nicolas Bay MEP. “There can be no grey areas. The future of our youth and the security of our societies are at stake.”

The full ECR Group statement is available here.