Unity in Latin America?
The summit was held with the presence of 33 countries, members of the regional community. It included 11 chiefs of State and 22 representatives in a scenario of new economic pressures and mass deportations of migrants, coming from the USA.
The group signed the Tegucigalpa Declaration, which was adopted by 30 member States of the Community. Thus,the imposition of tariffs from the USA was rejected. The text underlined its support for democracy and the rule of law, multilateralism, protection and promotion of all human rights. However, the meeting in Honduras has also lacked a regional plan to fight migration, most often due to lack of opportunities in countries of origin, and a multilateral plan against the tariffs.
The Government of Honduras, in charge of the temporary presidency of CELAC, said that the declaration had the « sufficient consensus » of 30 out of the 33 member states of the community. However, the text was not supported by Argentina, Paraguay and Nicaragua, whose presidents did not attend the meeting.
Reactions of the countries
« Argentina demands respect for the principle of consensus in CELAC and denounces violation of procedures, » said the Argentine Foreign Ministry in a statement, which also stressed that Buenos Aires « formally states that the so-called ‘Tegucigalpa Declaration’ is invalid and cannot be considered an official document of CELAC ».
« A declaration of this summit must refer to the very serious consequences of the tariff policies decreed by the United States against the world, and agree on common actions and measures to face their consequences, » declared the Nicaraguan chancellor, Valdrack Jaentschke, delegate to that conclave.
Colombia assumes rotating presidency of CELAC
The president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, this Wednesday handed over to the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, the temporary presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), a mandate that will provide « mutual assistance and collaboration ».
The president of Mexico proposes to hold a « Summit for economic well-being »
« I invite you, that the CELAC calls for a Summit for the economic well-being of Latin America and the Caribbean in order to realize greater regional economic integration on the basis of shared prosperity and respect for our sovereignties. The people of Latin America and the Caribbean are united by the history, culture and geography of a continent that stretches over two hemispheres and between two oceans. Trade and economic exchange have united us for centuries in the pursuit of our people’s prosperity” proposed Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president.
