Chilean President Sebastian Pinera formally handed the chairmanship of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to Cuban President Raul Castro as Heads of Government culminated a meaningful two-day agenda that also focused on the region’s association with the European Union (EU).
Cuba will be holding the rotating presidency for a period of 12 months and was assured by President Pinera of the unequivocal support from the other members of the 33-member regional bloc.
During its tenure, Cuba will be tasked with setting the agenda for the next CELAC summit. President Castro vowed to act in accordance with “international law, the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles that govern the development of ties between nations.”
President Ramotar joined the Summit in the company of Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Guyana’s Ambassador to the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Audrey Waddell at the Summit which on January 28, passed resolutions for solidarity with Argentina in territorial claim over the Falkland Islands and Cuba in the face of United States sanctions. Leaders also resolved to support the development program for Haiti.
