The Dominican Republic has postponed the 10th Summit of the Americas, originally set for Dec. 1–5 in Punta Cana, and plans to reschedule it for 2026 due to political divisions and hurricane-related logistics. Excluding Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela from preliminary invites sparked diplomatic protests from leaders including Claudia Sheinbaum and Gustavo Petro. Santo Domingo said it will reallocate resources already spent on planning to the 2026 meeting to ensure wider participation and a more productive hemispheric dialogue.
Dominican Republic Postpones 10th Summit of the Americas to 2026 Amid Political Divisions and Hurricane Disruptions
The Dominican Republic has postponed the 10th Summit of the Americas, originally set for Dec. 1–5 in Punta Cana, and plans to reschedule it for 2026 due to political divisions and hurricane-related logistics. Excluding Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela from preliminary invites sparked diplomatic protests from leaders including Claudia Sheinbaum and Gustavo Petro. Santo Domingo said it will reallocate resources already spent on planning to the 2026 meeting to ensure wider participation and a more productive hemispheric dialogue.
23:08, 04.11.2025Politics
Dominican Republic delays Summit of the Americas after regional tensions and storm disruptions
The government of the Dominican Republic announced it is postponing the 10th Summit of the Americas, originally scheduled for Dec. 1–5 in Punta Cana, and will now reschedule the meeting for 2026. Officials cited a 'complex' political climate and 'deep divisions' across the hemisphere that would make it difficult to hold a broad, representative dialogue.
In a statement issued late Monday, the Foreign Ministry said the decision followed a 'careful analysis of the situation in the region' and was intended to ensure participation by all governments and foster an atmosphere 'of consensus and cooperation.' No new date has been announced.
The summit was expected to bring together heads of state and government from more than 30 countries to discuss democracy, trade, security and climate change. Organizers said resources already invested in planning will be redirected to the 2026 meeting.
'Dialogue cannot begin with exclusions,' warned Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela were left off an initial list of invitees. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and other leaders also protested the omissions, which heightened diplomatic tensions.
Santo Domingo, backed by international institutions including the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank, said it refrained from attributing the postponement to outside political pressure but acknowledged that the current climate 'does not favor a productive exchange,' according to local reporting by Listín Diario.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio posted on X expressing support for the Dominican government's decision and said the United States will continue working with Santo Domingo to plan a 'productive event' in 2026 focused on strengthening partnerships and improving citizen security.
Officials also cited logistical complications from an unusually active Caribbean hurricane season, which disrupted planning for several regional meetings. Analysts noted the delay comes amid political realignment across the region, with several countries holding elections or governed by newly installed administrations — factors that organizers said could have produced a fragmented summit.
The Dominican Republic emphasized its ongoing commitment to the Summits of the Americas and to strengthening hemispheric dialogue, stating that the rescheduled summit should take place 'with the broadest possible participation and under conditions of regional stability.'