Latin American and Caribbean Unity Summit to Begin in Mexico MEXICO, February 20, 2010.—The Latin American and Caribbean Unity Summit takes place February 22 to 23 in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, gathering the Rio Group with countries attending the Latin America Summit on Integration and Development (CALC). Among the main topics of discussion will be the situation in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake. A final document has yet to be drawn up, however there is talk that it might suggest the formation of a body grouping the Latin American and Caribbean countries. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Saturday that the main proposal he is bringing to the summit is the creation of a continental group excluding the United States and Canada. Before departing for Mexico to meet with local indigenous organizations, Bolivian President Evo Morales also approved of the idea of creating a regional group, a new Organization of American States (OAS), but without “the North.” Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also pronounced his support of a new regional mechanism bringing together Latin America and the Caribbean to serve as a forum to debate regional issues. (Cubaminrex – Juventud Rebelde) |