Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean are a priority for Spain’s foreign policy owing to our human, historical, social, cultural, political, economic and linguistic ties with the region.

At the bilateral level, Spain is strengthening relations with our sister countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through high-level visits from Spain to the region and vice-versa, continuous high-level contact, and the maximization of mechanisms for bilateral political dialogue, economic, social and cultural contacts and collaboration in international organizations.

Spain and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean share principles and values, as reflected in their joint defence in the region of common goals such as:

Democracy
Rule of law
Safeguarding and promoting human rights and gender equality, paying priority attention to Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent

Society, economy and culture: Spain enjoys strong ties with the region

Latin America and Spain are bonded by vital human connections, as the region is the place of residence of the largest population of Spaniards living abroad and Spain is home to a growing Latin American community. By the end of 2025, more than 4.2 million people resident in Spain had been born in a country from the region.

Additionally, in its relations with the continent, Spain pays specific attention to the Caribbean as a region with singular characteristics that faces a particular set of challenges.

Spain is one of the main investors in Latin America and the Caribbean and has a significant presence in sectors that are key to development and social modernization, such as banking, energy, communications, construction and infrastructure management, tourism and public services.

Spain considers it essential not only to strengthen dialogue and foster cooperation to contribute to the institution-building of the countries of the region, but also to support effective economic reform processes that encourage growth and favour equity and redistribution of wealth.

Minister José Manuel Albares with the Ibero-American Secretary-General, Andrés Allamand. Ministery of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. 

Spain, strengthening the strategic relationship between Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union

Spain plays a crucial role in shaping EU policy regarding Latin America and the Caribbean. As an advocate of integration and multilateralism as the best response to the new international situation, our country supports the different economic, political and trade integration processes and is observing with interest the integration initiatives that are emerging in the region. In this context, reinforcing the strategic bi-regional partnership EU-CELAC is a priority for Spain.

The third EU-CELAC Summit (17-18 July 2023)— the first top-level dialogue between the two regions since the 2015 Summit—was held under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2023.

In November 2025, Spain was represented at the highest level—by the President of the Government—at the fourth EU-CELAC Summit, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, highlighting once more our active commitment to the region from within the EU. A number of commitments adopted in the framework of that Summit were backed and championed resolutely by Spain, which is focused on strengthening and deepening the bi-regional partnership. A joint declaration was concluded, new projects were announced in the framework of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, a new EU-LAC Bi-regional Pact on Care was signed and the EU-LAC Alliance for Citizen Security was launched. The next bi-regional summit is scheduled to take place in Brussels, in 2027.

Family photo of the EU-CELAC Summit held in Brussels in July 2023, under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. EFE.

Spain in multilateral Ibero-American organizations

Spain participates in the Ibero-American Community of Nations—a privileged space for dialogue and cooperation with the countries of the region—but it also aspires to extend its engagement to other regional forums. In this regard, Spain's role in Latin America and the Caribbean is strengthened by our role as observer in a number of multilateral bodies.

Of particular note is Spain’s long-standing, special status as Permanent Observer of the which it has enjoyed since 1972, and the consolidation of its role as cooperation partner in areas such as promotion of democracy, gender equality and peace through the Spanish Fund for the OAS, created more than 20 years ago.

Moreover, Spain has enjoyed observer status in the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) since November 1982, the Central American Integration System (SICA) since 2004, and the Andean Community (CAN) since 2011. In November 2012, Spain was the first country to enter the Pacific Alliance as an Observer State.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, together with OAS Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, after signing an agreement to strengthen political dialogue and address priorities in the region.

Spain in the financial institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean

Spain plays a highly active role in a number of financial institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and the , contributing both to the ordinary capital of the latter and the Fund for Special Operations, including, the Spanish Cooperation Fund for water and sanitation in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Spanish General Cooperation Fund, the Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Fund and the Spanish Trust Fund for the Social Entrepreneurship Program.