By Eva Golinger - Correo del Orinoco International, Dec 13th 2011
While much of the world is in crisis and protests are erupting throughout Europe and the United States, Latin American and Caribbean nations are building consensus, advancing social justice and increasing positive cooperation in the region.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez received his Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff in the capital of Caracas last Thursday 1 December for an encounter that saw the signing of 11 new bilateral accords in areas ranging from science and technology to housing and energy.
By Tamara Pearson – Venezuelanalysis.com, Dec 7th 2011
Reuters may have dismissed the CELAC as more “initials” but many Venezuelans, both in the government and in the organised grassroots, see it as an important step towards Latin American integration, and as an organisation that is profoundly different to the OAS, EU, APEC and other regional blocs. This Venezuelanalysis.com eyewitness report explores how and why.
Increased security, a range of cultural events, and a declared public holiday are some of the preparations underway in Caracas for the founding conference of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to be held there at the end of the week. CELAC is an organisation the Venezuelan government hopes will counter the Organisation of American States (OAS).
As part of his initiative to reach out to different Latin American governments before taking office, Peruvian President Elect, Ollanta Humala, met with Hugo Chavez last week in the capital of Caracas in a visit marked by common interest and a strong will for improved bilateral relations.
On Sunday President Hugo Chavez began a short tour of Latin America which includes stops in Brazil, Ecuador, and Cuba. On Monday he met with President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia, Brazil, to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his party, the PSUV, congratulated Peruvian president-elect Ollanta Humala on his electoral win, saying they hoped the victory would mean more social inclusion in Peru.
Nine Latin American countries have taken a further step in promoting regional integration through the formation of 'ULAN' - The Latin American Union of News Agencies. In order to 'give a voice' to Latin America and to reflect the realities of the region, ULAN will provide a 'counterweight' to news featured within the mainstream media.
The governments of Venezuela and Uruguay signed a series of strategic agreements on Wednesday in the areas of science and technology, energy and oil, agriculture, food, commerce and finance, during a trimestral visit between Uruguayan President Jose “Pepe” Mujica and Venezuelan chief Hugo Chavez.
