Social movements from Central America concluded the Latin American Unity summit, which took place concurrently with Community of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC) Summit in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mass movements from the region applauded efforts towards regional integration and proposed the creation of a financial system specific to Central American contexts. “We propose the creation of a financial system specific to the Central American region, using the economy to serve the people, and not the interests of large transnational financial bodies, with a common agenda in Central America within a framework that respects self-determination of our peoples and the full integration of women in social as well as productive life and policies in the countries of the region,” read the statements. Participating organizations also reflected on the global economic crisis calling on Central American nations to become more involved in regional integration bodies such as ALBA, UNASUR and Petrocaribe among others. The organizations representing peasant, indigenous, and the working class sectors, also declared their solidarity with countries across the Americas defending their sovereignty. “We denounce all imperialist and neoliberal initiatives against the peoples of Latin America through strategies such as the free trade, the Pacific Alliance, Mesoamerican Plan and the War on Drugs,” reads the statement. The popular movement summit made a point of expressing their solidarity with the progressive governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela who are currently be challenged by destabilization efforts. Source URL |
