Key Leaders Gather at CAF Forum to Discuss Regional Coordination
In the wake of the geopolitical shakeup caused by the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela by U.S. forces at the beginning of 2026, the sitting and newly elected presidents of Latin America and the Caribbean—representing various political spectrums—gathered at the inauguration of the International Economic Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, organized by CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, in Panama City.
Lula: Zones of Influence are Anachronistic
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized that dividing the world into zones of influence is an outdated and historically backward notion. He reflected on potential geopolitical scenarios following U.S. intervention in Venezuela, without explicitly mentioning the event.
Lula da Silva pointed out that, two centuries after the historic Congress of Panama (1826) aiming to establish a confederation of Ibero-American republics at Simón Bolívar’s call, the region still faces integration setbacks. He noted that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) has been paralyzed, preventing it from issuing a solid statement on the recent U.S. operation to detain Maduro and lamented that regional forums have stagnated in recent years.
LatAm United, Negotiating Power: Mulino
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, the host of the event, stressed that Latin America should form a single bloc to have negotiating power against threats. He emphasized that Panama does not seek competition but complementary economies with its neighbors and invited them to utilize the Panama Canal, highlighting its importance as a competitiveness factor for the region.
No Dialogue in Davos, Yes in Panama: Paz
A week after the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where U.S. President Donald Trump dominated the agenda with his rhetoric about gaining control of Greenland, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz stated that Latin America’s southern hemisphere reflects a factor of unity, transparency, and dialogue that was not found in Davos but present in Panama.
Paz, a center-right politician who ended 20 years of leftist governments in Bolivia, including rearranging his country’s geography to forge a transcontinental logistical alliance, disregarding the historical territorial dispute with Chile over its access to the sea, spoke about Bolivia’s experience with external pressure.
Juicio Continental a Maduro: Petro
Colombian President Gustavo Petro highlighted the need for better regional dialogue while acknowledging differences within the region. He emphasized that attempting dialogue between the Americas is crucial but may fail if not understood that they are distinct civilizations, yet agreements can be reached among them.
Petro mentioned that one product of this dialogue could be the creation of continental institutions to tackle common issues like drug trafficking. He stated that Maduro should be tried by a tribunal, either Venezuelan or American, if a continental justice court against drug trafficking is built.
We’ve Failed as a Region: Kast
Chilean President-elect José Antonio Kast criticized the lack of action towards greater Latin American collaboration, which contributed to crises like the Venezolana situation.
Kast, a right-wing politician, emphasized the need for regional leaders to dialogue despite ideological differences, as he did in his conversations with incoming Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, focusing on defending the interests of their peoples and building genuine cooperation.
Liberty, for Those Who Do Good: Noboa
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa stated that the ultimate goal of regional policies should be to combat poverty, which he acknowledged as the primary factor for regional stability, following Lula da Silva’s earlier mention.
Noboa, a right-wing leader close to Donald Trump, underscored his government’s commitment to crime control and explained his understanding of order and liberty.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the main topic discussed at the forum? Latin American leaders emphasized the need for increased regional coordination and cooperation amidst U.S. intervention in Venezuela and the potential division of the world into zones of influence.
- What did Lula da Silva say about zones of influence? He described them as anachronistic and historically backward, urging unity in Latin America for better negotiating power.
- What did Panamanian President Mulino propose? He advocated for Latin America to form a single bloc, emphasizing the Panama Canal’s importance for regional competitiveness.
- What was Rodrigo Paz’s stance on regional forums? He highlighted the lack of unity and dialogue in forums like Davos, contrasting it with the atmosphere in Panama.
- What did Gustavo Petro propose regarding Maduro? He suggested that Maduro should be tried by a tribunal composed of representatives from all the Americas.
- What was José Antonio Kast’s critique of the region? He acknowledged that Latin American leaders have failed to collaborate effectively, contributing to crises like the Venezuelan situation.
- What was Daniel Noboa’s focus on? He emphasized combating poverty as the primary goal for regional stability.
