Final Declaration Adopted at Caracas Summit

HAVANA TIMES, Dec 4 — The founding summit of the Latin American and the Caribbean Community (CELAC) concluded yesterday in Venezuela after having approved the Final Declaration of Caracas.

In the closing speech, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the organic process of the new entity is still being developed, particularly the formula for decision making.

Among the 22 documents signed, those highlighted were the statement condemning the blockade against Cuba and recognition of the rights of Argentina over the Falkland Islands.

The presidency of the regional body was conferred to Chile, while the next meeting place for the organization will be in Cuba.

The founding of the new forum — without the presence of the governments of the United States or Canada — was considered by the official Cuban press as “the most significant institutional event in this hemisphere in the last century.”