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Key Themes and Discussions

1. Europe: Transatlantic Uncertainty, Narrative Power, and Normative Erosion

The European-focused discussions highlighted the widening gap between the US’ stated strategic commitments and the unpredictable, narrative-driven political dynamics shaping its day-to-day foreign policy. Participants emphasized that US-origin disinformation and polarizing rhetoric increasingly spill into European debates, influencing perceptions of NATO, enlargement, and the credibility of legal norms around territorial integrity. Concerns grew that US political discourse, including talks of rapid territorial “deals” or transactional diplomacy, risks undermining the stability of the very norms the US historically defended in Europe. Speakers debated Europe’s potential pathways toward strategic autonomy, stressing that autonomy does not equal anti-Americanism but rather the ability to act when US engagement fluctuates. The role of narrative resilience emerged as essential: deterrence now requires not just capabilities but also control over information and the ability to counter misleading frames around territorial disputes.

2. Latin America: Sovereignty, Regional Fragmentation, and the US Narrative of Influence

The participants examined the challenges and opportunities facing Latin American and Caribbean countries in light of the changes introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump. Key issues such as migration, border control, and the fight against drug trafficking were addressed, creating space to explore shared regional strategies in response to US policy shifts. This first panel fostered a critical and forward-looking discussion on cooperation mechanisms aimed at strengthening the autonomy and collective action of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The second panel offered an enriching, publicly accessible exchange that engaged representatives from various Latin American countries, academics, and leading think tank experts under the theme Regional Empowerment through Strategic Diplomacy. The discussion focused on the state of regional autonomy in a context marked by growing fragmentation. Panelists exchanged proposals on how to reinforce regional cooperation, highlighting the diversification of alliances and the pursuit of more balanced and sustainable forms of collaboration, both within the region and with external partners such as Europe and Africa.

Public participation was particularly noteworthy, bringing forward diverse perspectives on common regional challenges. The debate clearly indicated the need for future events that explore the possibilities for deeper cooperation between Europe and Latin America. In this sense, the panel served not only as a space for critical reflection but also as an initial step toward establishing an ongoing dialogue on the future of international cooperation in times of Territorial (Dis)Integrity.

Outcomes or Conclusions

Across both regions, several common insights emerged:

• US political narratives significantly affect territorial and sovereignty debates in both Europe and Latin America, regardless of formal strategic documents.

• Information integrity is central: disinformation, including from within the transatlantic space, shapes public opinion, weakens institutions, and complicates cooperation.

• Territorial integrity must be defended multidimensionally through legal clarity, strategic communication, and regionally coordinated approaches.

• Europe and Latin America share parallel challenges: navigating US unpredictability, reinforcing sovereignty, and reducing vulnerability to external narrative pressure.

• Future cooperation should emphasize joint resilience, diversified partnerships, and platforms that elevate regional voices rather than reproducing geopolitical asymmetries.

The conference concluded that safeguarding territorial integrity in today’s environment requires balanced partnerships, democratic resilience, and sustained cross-regional dialogue, with Europe and Latin America facing converging challenges, and opportunities, in an era of contested norms.