Through the CELAC initiative for United Nations humanitarian aid to Gaza

To the President
of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
CELAC
Mr. Gustavo Petro

With the utmost respect:

We address you as researchers from the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) Starting from the essential recognition of CELAC as the broadest and most inclusive integrating forum of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean for political and diplomatic dialogue and the strengthening of regional unity.

We do this in light of the imminent United Nations General Assembly, which will take place against the backdrop of escalating international conflicts. We understand that among the highly critical issues to be addressed, the urgent situation in Gaza, Palestine, will be a key one. Given that CELAC adheres to the principles of international law based on the Charter of the United Nations and rejects unilateral coercive measures, the question remains whether it would be appropriate and necessary for Latin American countries, or at least the majority of them, to present unified proposals in response to the dramatic humanitarian crisis afflicting the population of Gaza.

We have no doubt that CELAC could play a central role in helping to move from aspiration to concrete steps toward resolution by the General Assembly. Beyond the debates and differing positions that exist among our countries regarding other issues and definitions, we understand that there is a broad social consensus in our region on the need and conditions for Latin America to present concrete initiatives without delay to save thousands of lives.

PROPOSALS:

a) To promote a unified motion for a clear UN definition of the requirement for the immediate entry of food, medicine, and basic necessities into Gaza, based on international and humanitarian law. A shared initiative as a regional bloc would have much greater strength and international impact than if countries acted individually.

Fundamentals
Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. Art. 23 – free passage of relief shipments; Art. 55 – occupying power must guarantee the supply of food and medicine; Art. 59 – if the occupied population is poorly supplied by the occupying power, the latter must accept relief operations.
The Additional Protocol (1977) to the Fourth Convention. Articles 54 and 70 prohibit attacking, destroying or preventing access to property indispensable for the survival of the civilian population.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Article 11 recognizes the right to adequate food and obliges States not to arbitrarily deprive anyone of access to food.
Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 24: which establishes the obligation to combat malnutrition and provide nutritious food.

b) Establish a Latin American Fund for Aid to Gaza to present to the United Nations the specific, and not merely declarative, will of the shared commitment to send humanitarian aid, presenting in a consolidated manner in detail the contributions of each of the countries in volume and deadlines.

Fundamentals

• On numerous occasions, Latin American countries have coordinated joint shipments of humanitarian aid, either through UN bodies, regional integration organizations, or ad hoc agreements, such as: Haiti Earthquake (2010), Hurricane Mitch (1998), Earthquake and Tsunami in Chile (2010), Ecuador Earthquake (2016)
• In particular with regard to Gaza and Palestine, on several occasions, simultaneously but not in a coordinated manner, several Latin American countries have sent shipments of food and medicine.

We would greatly appreciate your analysis, consideration, and critique of these preliminary ideas, and we remain at your disposal to expand on considerations and clarifications.

Without further ado, we take this opportunity to extend our warmest greetings to the President.

Latin America, August 20, 2025
Working Groups of the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO):
Proposal for Regional Integration
Lex Mercatoria, Corporate Power and Human Rights
Geopolitics, Regional Integration and the World System
Studies on the United States
China and the Map of World Power

Contact for inquiries and/or memberships:
54-11-4937-7359 / [email protected]

This text expresses the position of the aforementioned Working Groups and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.