Latin American and Caribbean countries to form new bloc without U.S. and Canada
February 24th, 2010 - 2:03 am ICT by BNO NewsCANCUN, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) – Latin American leaders gathered in a two-day summit in Mexico and have agreed to create a regional bloc, which excludes the U.S. and Canada, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said.
The new regional body will serve as an alternative to the Organization of American States (OAS), which has served as the principal forum for regional affairs during the last 50 years.
Some Latin American leaders have expressed in the past their disapproval of the OAS, which they claim is dominated and highly influenced by the United States.
Cuban President Raul Castro applauded President Calderon’s announcement to push for regional integration, promoting regional issues in global meetings, and cooperation among Latin American and Caribbean countries.
In 1962, Cuba was suspended from the OAS because of its socialist political system, and the country refused to rejoin in 2009 after the OAS voted to withdraw its suspension.
Mexico and Brazil promoted the new alliance, and the thirty-two nations that assembled responded positively.
The new community is expected to take shape in a few years, as the leaders agreed to meet again in 2011 in Venezuela.
- Ahmadinejad visits Cuba - Jan 12, 2012
- Fidel Castro turns 85 - Aug 14, 2011
- Castro pokes fun at Obama's summit outfit - Apr 10, 2012
- Cuba, US to resume friendly baseball games - Mar 21, 2012
- Cuba, China to enhance military cooperation - Oct 28, 2011
- Mexican firm eyeing Cuba offshore oil projects - Apr 13, 2012
- WHO praises Cuba's health care system - Mar 28, 2012
- Cuba's Soviet-style economic model no longer workable: Castro - Sep 09, 2010
- Cuba, Venezuela sign joint projects worth over $3 bn - Dec 13, 2009
- OAS opens door for Cuba's readmission (Lead) - Jun 04, 2009
- Maradona expresses admiration of Castro - Jul 25, 2010
- Obama just keeping campaign promise: Cuban speaker - May 13, 2009
- Obama will fail if he doesn't lift embargo: Fidel Castro - Apr 23, 2009
- Raul Castro's daughter launches blog - Dec 23, 2011
- Jimmy Carter visits Cuba over the issue of tension with US - Mar 29, 2011
Tags: bno, cancun mexico, caribbean countries, cuban president, disapproval, global meetings, latin american leaders, mexican president felipe calderon, new alliance, oas, organization of american states, president felipe calderon, principal forum, raul castro, regional affairs, regional bloc, regional body, regional integration, regional issues, socialist political system