In his speech at the 20th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on Thursday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza urged the regional integration bloc to take action and overcome the time of reflection as demanded by international circumstances.
“The costs of disintegration, individual and non-collective actions are unmeasurable, and we are responsible for those costs. It is time for us to act together and for CELAC to take on the role it is called to play in this multipolar world,” stressed Foreign Minister Arreaza, who also highlighted that Latin America and the Caribbean are a center of power under construction.
At the virtual meeting, held on the occasion of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Arreaza contextualize that Commander Hugo Chávez proposed in 2001 the creation of an international humanitarian fund, and President Nicolás Maduro also proposed to the UN on Wednesday a revolving fund for public procurement to address the great needs in countries facing economic hardships or imperial blockades.
“We think CELAC has the commitment to acting boldly and bravely within the framework of international relations,” he insisted.
In this regard, Arreaza insisted on considering the opportunity to hold relations with countries like Russia or regional blocs like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the African Union.
Regarding relations with North America, the Venezuelan diplomat recalled that countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela are victims of blockades and unilateral coercive measures, which, in the case of Venezuela, prevent its access to the COVID-19 vaccine project.
“Our resources have been blocked, and international banks refuse to work with Venezuela (…) CELAC must have a stance and facilitate encounters there,” he said.
Furthermore, Minister Arreaza urged to defend multilateralism, and proposed to build it starting from bilateral, trilateral relations, moving on to regional relations up to multilateralism in the United Nations.
“We must strengthen it, especially due to the attacks we have suffered in recent times,” he said.
Finally, the Venezuelan foreign minister congratulated Mexico for its work as CELAC’s Chair Pro Tempore, and called for preserving the region as a Zone of Peace, as declared in 2014, avoiding conflicts and being careful with those who want to impose a new Monroe Doctrine.