The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) The Kingstown Declaration published this Sunday sets out several measures that need to be taken to achieve greater integration and regional development, such as cooperation in the health sector or the need for more air connections or energy projects between countries, in a process in which this organism will try to play a fundamental role. During the summit there was criticism of the Israeli offensive in Gaza and of dominant powers such as the United States, but the declarations agreed at the end between the 33 member states were quite toned down.
A FAIRER FINANCIAL SYSTEM
“We strive to strengthen and enhance the role of Celac as a mechanism for political integration in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as for dialogue with extra-regional partners and other key global actors,” emphasized the final declaration issued during the VIII Summit in St. Vincent was adopted. and the Grenadines, which took place last Friday. Among the steps to be followed to achieve greater regional integration, the document signed by the 33 Member States includes, among other logistical aspects, “the importance of promoting the expansion of the possibilities of air services in the region with a view to strengthening the Connectivity”. .
The parties called for promoting the development of “regional energy integration infrastructure projects” and “strengthening the development, production and local and regional distribution of vaccines, medicines, critical inputs and technology transfer to complement effective support for innovation, research and technological development “. . They also emphasized the need for a “fairer, more democratic, more inclusive and supportive international financial system that enables developing countries to access necessary financial resources.”
Although many Celac members are often very critical of the so-called North, generally referring to the United States and European countries, the adopted text recognized “the important role of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation as a complement and not a replacement.” for North-South cooperation. In any case, he did not forget “the unimaginable suffering inflicted on millions of men, women and children by the transatlantic African slave trade, slavery and the genocide of indigenous people” in the region.
Warm mention of the Esequibo conflict
Celac members avoided taking a position on the Essequibo conflict between Venezuela and Guyana, although they expressed their fundamental support for respect for the sovereignty of the states. “We commend the Presidency pro tempore of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Brazil and the Presidency of the Caricom (Caribbean Community) for organizing the Meeting for Dialogue and Peace between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela and welcome the resulting Argyle Statement .” “, it says in the final remark.
This is the only reference in 30 pages of the joint statement to one of the biggest international controversies in the region, which relates to the agreement reached last December between the two countries to opt for political means. The historic controversy between Guyana and Venezuela over the strategic and natural resource-rich Essequibo region has been revived in recent months largely due to the non-binding referendum in Caracas proposing the annexation of the territory.
Last December, the presidents of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and Guyana, Irfaan Ali, met in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and agreed not to threaten each other and to resolve their differences through dialogue. A month later, the foreign ministers of Venezuela and Guyana, Yván Gil and Hugh Todd, met in Brasilia and committed to continuing dialogue on the controversy and even addressing the 1966 agreement in a “peaceful” and “free of threats” environment.
The Venezuelan government never confirmed its participation in the summit, but Maduro ended up landing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines an hour before the event's official start and, along with Lula da Silva, was the leader who raised the most expectations. Maduro promised the Brazilian president that he would call elections in Venezuela in the second half of the year and suggested to Celac that he prepare a delegation of international observers to “participate in the process of preparation, implementation and development of the presidential elections.”
Division during the conflict in Gaza
At the summit, Lula and Maduro insisted on calling for an end to the “genocide” in Gaza. The Venezuelan president asserted that international justice, instead of protecting the Palestinian people, only serves to “promote the interests of North American imperialism, Europe and the West.” Gustavo Petro also attacked the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. “Those who participate in genocide come to teach us democracy,” the Colombian president told a small group of journalists.
Despite these statements predicting a strong condemnation of the Israeli offensive, Celac was unable to reach consensus and a statement on this point was signed by only 24 of the 33 countries. The text supports, among other things, the UN resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, calls for the release of the hostages and supports the two-state solution, among other things.
It has been signed by Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua, as well as other Latin American countries, as well as almost all Caribbean countries, while the most notable absences are precisely those of Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador and Uruguay. The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and summit host, Ralph Gonsalves, described this final document on Gaza as one of “mutual dissatisfaction.”
The Presidents of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro; Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel; Honduras, Xiomara Castro; and Bolivia's Luis Arce attended the summit in the Caribbean country. On the contrary, countries with right-wing governments such as those of Javier Milei (Argentina), Santiago Peña (Paraguay), Daniel Noboa (Ecuador), and Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay) sent subordinate delegations led by vice-chancellors or ambassadors.