The Dominican government announced on 3 November 2025 the decision to postpone the 10th Summit of the Americas until next year, citing a careful analysis of the current regional situation. The Summit would have been held during the first week of December in Punta Cana.
Bloomberg had reported that only three Latin American and Caribbean heads of government had announced they would attend the heads of government meetings of the Summit.
The move, which was reportedly consensus-driven, involved close consultation with key partners, including the United States, the forum’s original proponent, and other essential nations. Representatives from major international organizations involved in the Summit’s organization, such as the secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), were also consulted, the Ministry of Foreign Relations announced in a press release.
The government confirmed that all resources invested to date, including those allocated for hemispheric meetings scheduled in the country, will be carried over for use next year.
In the official statement, the Dominican Republic noted that when it assumed the responsibility of hosting the Summit in 2022, the deep divisions currently hindering productive dialogue in the Americas were unforeseeable.
Adding to the complexity are the recent climatic events that have severely impacted several Caribbean nations, further influencing the decision to defer the high-level meeting.
The Dominican Republic secured the bid to host the 10th Summit during the Ninth Summit in Los Angeles, California, in June 2022. The OAS General Assembly later approved the selection by acclamation in Lima, Peru, that same year.
The government underscored its extensive preparatory work since then, noting that it has “fully complied with all the requirements of this commitment,” including logistical coordination with the OAS and other organizations.
The postponement is expected to initiate new consultations regarding the Summit’s eventual date. The delay will also allow for an expansion of dialogue to include new democratically elected governments that emerge in the interim.
The Dominican Republic extended its gratitude for the support received in organizing the event from “sister countries, international organizations, representatives of the private sector, youth, civil society, and the institutions of the Dominican government, whose commitment and enthusiasm have been essential.”
Reaffirming its commitment to regional cooperation, the nation concluded by reiterating its strong belief in “multilateralism, good neighbor policy, and alliances to promote regional integration.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had written in a post: “We fully support the decision to postpone the summit and will continue to work together.” Rubio wrote in a post.
Diario Libre reports that the announcement comes following the increase in the militarization of Caribbean waters by US forces and the major impact of Melissa weather systems in the area, causing considerable damages in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Read more in Spanish:
Ministry of Foreign Relations
US State Department
Diario Libre
4 November 2025