Venezuela & ALBA News, 1.27.2023: CELAC Revived; Tours to Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragu

Peoples Dispatch: At CELAC, Latin American and Caribbean leaders reaffirm commitment to regional integration The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advance in regional integration and unity at the 7th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Argentine President Fernández called for strengthening “institutionality and democracy in the face of a recalcitrant and fascist right.”  He also called for CELAC to raise its voice against the criminal and inhumane US blockades on Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The pressing political and human rights crisis in Peru was left out of the Buenos Aires declaration despite the strong condemnations from Honduran President Xiomara Castro, Mexican President AMLO, Bolivian President Arce, and Colombian President Petro who all demanded the immediate release of constitutional President Pedro Castillo and the immediate cessation of repressive violence against the people. Such statements have received sharp backlash from Peru’s far-right, who even threatened the military invasion of Bolivia over Arce and Evo Morales’ condemnations of violence.