The international integration of our country into a bloc such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which aims to create a single front for political, economic dialogue and other issues with the European Union (EU) and other groups or states in the world, is undoubtedly important. It is necessary to evaluate the result of this organization, for which the summit meeting held on July 17 and 18, 2023 in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, was attended by President Guillermo Lasso and a group from the Government. The presidents, vice presidents and foreign ministers of 33 member countries participated.

China is not the only option for Latin America

CELAC was created by the signing of the Caracas-Venezuela Declaration (2010), for the political coordination and integration of the member countries, the former President of Venezuela Hugo Chávez and the former President of Chile Sebastián Piñera were selected as co-chairs, in order to establish a dialogue with the EU, the Russian Federation, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the Arab Gulf countries and Turkey.

The EU-CELAC declaration has 41 points, most of which are repetitions of previous declarations and ratifications of UN resolutions, and concern sovereignty, human rights, nature conservation and support for underdeveloped countries.

inequality in paradise

I highlight the numbers: 11. End the trade, economic and financial blockade of Cuba, and not classify it as a promoter of terrorism; 13. The EU takes note of Argentina’s desire for the Malvinas and the peaceful resolution of disputes; 15. “We express our deep concern about the ongoing war against Ukraine, which continues to cause enormous human suffering” and about the free export of grain through the Black Sea (controlled by Russia); 38. Concern about the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti; 39. Support to the peace process in Colombia between the government and the FARC-EP.

It is evident that this organization is directed towards the following political goals: Not pointing to Russia as a conqueror of territory in Ukraine and blockade of the Black Sea, the route for grain export to the world; demand the economic unlocking of Cuba by the US, but not the freedom of the Cuban people under the Communist Party government; to confirm the peace agreement signed in Cuba, which allowed the FARC-EP to negotiate on an equal footing with the Colombian state, which paradoxically enabled the increase of areas for coca planting and cocaine production. The goal of integration to form a regional economic block is written only in two documents of idealistic manifestos of concern.

The reality of Latin America and our country is an increase in legal and food insecurity, emigration, inflation, financial risks, obstacles in the flow of products, political instability and economic decline. We hope that the progressive purpose and goals of CELAC will be redirected, otherwise the presence of the Ecuadorian president and delegation was and will continue to be a trip paid for with scarce public funds, and at the very top of the agenda. (OR)