The tenth edition of the hemispheric summit, which brings together heads of state and government, will be held in Punta Cana from December 1 to 5. Image: Summit of the Americas official website.
Guacamaya, October 1, 2025. Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua have once again been excluded from the upcoming Summit of the Americas, set to take place in the Dominican Republic during the first week of December 2025. The three countries—described as authoritarian regimes and previously left out of the 2022 edition in Los Angeles—will not receive official invitations this year from the host nation, which currently holds the pro tempore presidency.
The Dominican government stated that the exclusion aims to “prioritize the success of the summit” and ensure broad participation from other hemispheric nations. In its official statement, it emphasized that the decision reflects “a strictly multilateral criterion” amid growing political polarization in the region. However, it clarified that it maintains distinct bilateral relations with each of the three countries.
“The Summit of the Americas, launched by the United States in 1994, is now closely coordinated by the Organization of American States (OAS) through its Summit Secretariat. This framework imposes specific limitations on participation,” the statement read. Notably, Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua are not part of this coalition.
Cuba swiftly responded through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemning the move as a “capitulation to brutal unilateral pressure” from the United States. The official note accused the U.S. of reviving gunboat diplomacy and the Monroe Doctrine to subordinate the region, calling the exclusion a setback.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also posted on X, stating that a summit “built on exclusion and coercion is doomed to fail.” So far, neither Nicaragua nor Venezuela has issued an official response, but the ideological and strategic divides continue to shape regional dialogue.
Regarding Venezuela, the Dominican Republic noted that while the two countries share “deep historical ties,” their bilateral relationship was suspended following allegations of electoral fraud. “The Dominican government has not recognized the legitimacy of the last two presidential elections held there,” the statement said, referring to the 2018 and 2024 votes.
