Corrections to paragraphs 2 and 3, Sept 18, story, make it clear that Cuba was not suspended from OAS in 2009.

David Alire Garcia, Noe Torres

MEXICO CITY (Reuters] – Latin American and Caribbean nations should aspire at a bloc like Europe, Mexico’s president said Saturday during a summit in an effort to wrest power away from Washington’s Organization of American States.

A few of the left-leaning standard-bearers in the region who were present at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States gathering (CELAC), have considered the OAS too similar to the United States for many years.

Cuba was expelled from OAS during the Cold War in 1962. Cuba’s suspension from the OAS was lifted in 2009 but has yet to be reinstated.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (Mexican President) was the host for Saturday’s summit. He told over a dozen prime ministers and presidents during the ceremony that a modernized diplomatic body would help to boost regional inequality-stricken countries and address health crises.

In a darkened ballroom in Mexico’s stately national palace, he declared that “in these times CELAC can be the principal instrument to consolidate relationships between our Latin American or Caribbean nations.” He spoke as if he were addressing a gathering of leaders and ideological enemies.

Lopez Obrador leftist stated that “We need to build on the American continent something like the European economic community which is the origin of the present European Union.” Lopez Obrador stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty as well as adhering to pro-development and non-interventionist policies.

Lopez Obrador invited the leaders to meet with him, with the stated goal of weakening OAS. At the summit’s start, attention was focused on Peru’s new president Pedro Castillo and Cuba’s Miguel Diaz Canel, as well as Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.

Brazil’s president of the right Jair Bolsonaro resigned last year from CELAC, accusing it of elevating undemocratic states. Argentina’s Alberto Fernandez was forced to cancel at the very last moment due to an abrupt cabinet change in Argentina.

SPARKS FLY

Leaders have exhibited some discord. Luis Lacalle, Uruguay’s centre-right president, said that his participation shouldn’t be taken as an endorsement of certain authoritarian regimes in the region or rejection of OAS.

He stated, “We are concerned” and pointed out that Venezuela was suffering from repressive measures, including the imprisonment of opposition politicians.

Cuba’s Diaz Canel retaliated by attacking neoliberal policy that he claims has slowed social progress. Also, he criticized Lacalle’s leadership and noted the overwhelming response to a petition drive organized by his national political opposition.

Uruguayan government responded to criticism of Cuba’s communist regime by pointing out that it doesn’t tolerate opposition and does not allow citizens to choose their leaders.

Luis Arce, the Bolivian president, called for an international agreement to forgo debts of poor countries. Juan Orlando Hernandez from Honduran called for a regional organization to fight climate change.

An announcement was made about a new CELAC Fund to assist in natural disasters.

Hugo Chavez (Venezuela’s President) helped establish CELAC in 2011. His successor Maduro, a troubled Venezuelan politician, arrived late on Friday to add his surprise presence.

Maduro proposed Friday night that a new CELAC headquarters should be set up in Mexico City. When reporters asked about the proposal, Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s foreign minister, politely declined to answer. He described it as too premature.