The climate agenda championed by President Biden in the United States faces resistance not only from Republicans in Congress but also from two Democratic senators closely aligned with the fossil fuel industry. This stance has coincided with a broader energy discussion tied to the war in Ukraine, prompting the administration to emphasize both domestic production and export of fossil fuels. Yet in public addresses and the administration’s timetable, there is a clear push to address the climate emergency with urgency. On Thursday, the president and Vice President Kamala Harris led a summit aimed at fostering continental collaboration across North America and beyond.
The central promise announces a shift toward renewable energy across Latin America and the Caribbean. The plan envisions achieving a regional energy mix in which 70 percent comes from renewable sources by 2030. White House sources indicated that Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana would join fifteen existing participants in this program, with Argentina and Brazil playing leadership roles in promoting cooperation under this framework. These commitments align with ongoing efforts to expand clean energy collaboration across the hemisphere. (Attribution: White House)
Harris highlighted a complementary track focused on U.S. cooperation with the Caribbean, aiming to help affected countries confront the climate crisis by accelerating clean energy adoption and lowering emissions. The approach envisions working with regional partners to unlock practical, scalable solutions that strengthen resilience while expanding sustainable energy options. (Attribution: White House)
The administration’s plans were presented alongside the American Alliance for Economic Prosperity, which outlined several concrete commitments during a summit held a day earlier. Washington signaled its intent to mobilize private sector investment and seek financing from regional development banks to fund clean energy projects. Officials noted that four financial instruments could enable around 50 billion dollars in climate-related funding over the next five years to support continent-wide goals. (Attribution: Administration sources)
Immigration and democracy
For the White House, unity and credible leadership in addressing the climate emergency are essential. The summit’s reception was mixed, shaped by attendance debates that excluded Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and by the absence of several heads of state, including the Mexican president, who chose to abstain in protest. This backdrop raised questions about the level of commitment that could be secured on migration.
President Biden arrived midweek with a message of resolute optimism about democracy in a world where democratic norms are under pressure. He asserted that democratic systems can deliver tangible benefits and improve lives when nations unite around bold ideas and decisive action. This sentiment framed the keynote address and set the tone for the week ahead.
One notable moment was the bilateral meeting scheduled with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro, long an ally of former President Trump, had been among the last leaders to congratulate Biden on his electoral victory. In a recent television interview, Bolsonaro expressed doubt about the integrity of the U.S. electoral results and questioned the process surrounding the outcome, fueling broader discussions about electoral standards.
Amazon and choices
Bolsonaro’s decision to attend the Los Angeles summit remained uncertain until the last moment. In a bid to ensure his presence, Biden dispatched a trusted advisor to extend the invitation. Reports indicated that Bolsonaro agreed on the condition that interlocutors avoid pressing him on certain electoral topics. The broader concern, however, centered on the Amazon deforestation under his government, an issue that has drawn sustained international scrutiny. Illegal fishing and logging were also spotlighted as regions faced pressures that reverberated through environmental and human rights discussions. The disappearance of journalist Dom Phillips and the plight of indigenous communities amplified these concerns.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan pushed back on interpretations of the talks, stating that the agenda would remain broad and centered on open, fair, and transparent democratic processes. He stressed that conversations would not be reduced to a single topic and that the commitment to democratic governance would persist across the bilateral dialogue. (Attribution: White House)