President of Colombia Gustavo Petro proposed yesterday an international contest to create an anthem for Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiative seeks to promote a deeper regional integration through art and music.
“A contest is now open to decide what would become the anthem of Latin America and the Caribbean. I would like art to be expressed in that anthem, along with the indomitable history of our corner of the world, the vital center of the Earth,” declared President Petro on his X.com account.
Petro impulses contest to create a Latin American anthem
According to the official website, the contest is open for musicians, composers and poets from every Latin American and Caribbean countries, with submissions opened until December 1st, 2025. The idea behind the project is for the winning composition to be free to use, and played in public events as well as diplomatic, sports, and other events that promote a shared Latin American identity.
“The aim is to strengthen the bonds between our peoples, highlighting values such as solidarity, resistance, and Latin American dignity,” the contest guidelines state.
The project invites lyrics and melodies to reflect both the cultural diversity and “the shared history of struggle against colonization and inequality.” Submissions must be original works, with a maximum duration of three minutes, and may be presented in any of the region’s official languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Indigenous languages.
The porposal has been backed by regional leaders
A contest for a Latin American anthem was first backed by former Bolivian President Evo Morales who celebrated it as “a symbol of brotherhood and Latin American unity.”
Buenos Aires governor Axel Kicillof also showed support for the iniative saying “I consider that Latin American culture is a fundamental pillar of the sovereignty of our peoples.”
President Petro has consistently defended the idea of a united Latin America. He considers that that the creation of a regional anthem would be a symbolic step in thr construction of a more solid and autonomous cultural identity. The judges will announce the winner anthem on December, and will be performed for the first time in January 2026, in Cartagena de Indias.
