Summit of the Americas in the Dominican Republic postponed due to divergences that prevent dialogue
The announcement coincides with the tension in the region due to the deadly US attacks on vessels that critics accuse of being assassinations
The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this Monday that it is postponing the 10th Summit of the Americas, scheduled to take place on December 4 and 5 in Punta Cana, until 2026.
“After a careful analysis of the “In 2022, when we assumed the responsibility of holding the Summit of the Americas, the profound divergences that currently hinder productive dialogue in the Americas were unforeseeable. This situation is compounded by the impact of recent weather events that have severely affected several Caribbean countries,” the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in a statement.
However, this “postponement” also coincides with the United States' military action in the region, where it has sunk numerous vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific, which it claims are linked to drug trafficking, without presenting any evidence, but with a death toll of at least 65 people as tensions rise in the region, especially with Venezuela and Colombia.
Following the announcement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that the United States “fully supports the decision to postpone” the Summit of the Americas announced by the Dominican Republic, the host country, and expressed confidence in being able to organize a “productive” meeting in 2026.
In a comment on with the Dominican Republic and other countries in the region to plan a productive event in 2026 that will focus on strengthening alliances and reinforcing the security of our citizens,” Rubio stated in his brief communique.
This announcement comes a month after the Dominican government declined to invite Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela in order to encourage “the broadest possible participation and ensure the forum's success,” which drew criticism and led to the decision by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, not to attend.
“This postponement entails further consultations on the Summit date and expanding the dialogue to include the newly democratically elected governments that emerges,” the Foreign Ministry said.