GHI Board Chair Stefan Rinke accompanies German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a recent trip to Latin America
March 18, 2025
Prof. Dr. Stefan Rinke, chair of the GHI's Academic Advisory Board and a specialist in Latin American history at the Lateinamerika-Institut of the Freie Universität Berlin, accompanied Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender on their recent trip to Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile from February 28 to March 7, 2025.
Uruguay
The journey commenced in Uruguay, where President Steinmeier and Ms. Büdenbender attended the inauguration of President Yamandú Orsi on March 1, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. In discussions with President Orsi, Steinmeier highlighted Uruguay's steadfast commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and multilateralism. He emphasized the importance of the EU-MERCOSUR partnership agreement, describing it as both an economic and geopolitical milestone, and expressed Germany's support for its swift implementation.
Paraguay
The delegation then proceeded to Paraguay, where President Steinmeier met with President Santiago Peña on March 3. The leaders reflected on the enduring relationship between their countries and reiterated their commitment to the EU-MERCOSUR agreement. Steinmeier expressed gratitude for the stable relations amidst global challenges. During his visit, he explored the Chacarita neighborhood, visited the birthplace of Guarania founder José Asunción Flores, and attended a school festival at the Goethe School, engaging with students and celebrating cultural heritage.
Chile
In Chile, President Steinmeier engaged with civil society representatives to gain insights into the nation's political culture and contemporary challenges. He participated in discussions with German and Chilean business leaders, focusing on renewable energy and raw materials. A visit to the German School in Santiago allowed him to inaugurate a new sports field and interact with students. Addressing the historical complexities of Colonia Dignidad, Steinmeier met with affected individuals and experts, emphasizing Germany's commitment to acknowledging and learning from past atrocities. He also visited the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, which plans to host an exhibition on Colonia Dignidad by the Free University of Berlin in 2026.
On March 5, President Steinmeier held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, underscoring Chile's strategic importance as a partner in various sectors, including politics, business, and research. He commended Chile's firm stance on international issues and expressed a desire to deepen relations with nations upholding multilateral principles.
The trip concluded with a visit to the European Southern Observatory's Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert. There, President Steinmeier learned about the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will be the world's largest optical telescope when it's completed in 2028. He highlighted the significance of international collaboration in advancing astronomical research and acknowledged the contributions of German scientists to these endeavors.
Throughout the trip, President Steinmeier emphasized the value of strong partnerships, shared democratic values, and collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges. The visit reinforced Germany's commitment to fostering deeper ties with Latin American countries across various domains, from economic cooperation to cultural exchange.
GHI Board Chair, Prof. Dr. Stefan Rinke (right) with German President Frank Walter Steinmeier (3rd to the right) with the Chilean President Gabriel Boric (5th to the right) and a binational delegation in Santiago de Chile