Fourth CELAC summit finished today in Equador

Leaders of the Latin American and Caribbean States reiterated their stance on the principles of the bloc and identified integration as a basic principle for the solution of common problems in the region.

Agenda

Among the topics raised at the summit was the lifting of US sanctions against Cuba, a ceasefire between the Colombian FARC rebels and the government, migration, and the epidemic of the Zika virus observed in Latin America. Also, it continued discussion on the establishment of a common financial architecture. The most striking performance was a speech from Bolivian President Evo Morales, who has criticized the United States and the IMF, and also described peace as the heritage of Latin America. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro emphasized the necessity of anti-crisis measures and development of appropriate tactics. He was supported by the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, who noted the problems of fluctuations in oil prices.

Background

CELAC unites 33 countries in the region and has its own parliament. Its predecessor is considered to be the Rio Group. Potentially, this unit is the largest integration association in the world. Besides it, in Latin America there are integration projects UNASUR and MERCOSUR. At the same time, there is a risk of a split in these initiatives because of the subversive activity of the United States. Washington successfully co-opted Mexico and Peru into its Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, as well as negotiating with Colombia. The world's media, controlled by the transnational liberal bourgeoisie, deliberately hold back the success and importance of CELAC. Meanwhile, the experience of this association may be useful for the development of the Eurasian Economic Union.

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CELAC