Argentina to host CELAC Leaders’ Summit

Argentina will host the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Leaders’ Summit today.

CELAC was established as an alternative to the Washington-based Organization of American States (OAS). Beyond its role as an alternate multilateral institution, it has focused heavily on broader regional integration. Unlike the OAS, Cuba is a member of CELAC. The group gained notoriety because it coincided with the so-called “pink tide” in Latin America which saw a number of left-leaning governments come to power.

While leftist governments continue to dominate the region’s major economic powers, continued domestic and regional instability handicaps CELAC’s relevance and its ability to push for major policy changes.  Widespread riots in Peru following the impeachment of former president Pedro Castillo, the attacks on government buildings in Brazil, and multiple economic crises stemming from the war in Ukraine and domestic malfeasance, will all be front of mind during this week’s conference. While some efforts aimed at regional integration—such as the early attempts to create a common Brazilian and Argentine  currency—will receive much attention this week, actual policy changes will be limited.