Escambray ENGLISH EDITION
Panama holds today two summit meetings in the presence of the most disadvantaged population from Latin America and the Caribbean, and the governments ruling the destinies of their citizens.
The first one, known as the Summit of the Peoples and opened yesterday night, was convened by Panamanian union and grass-roots organizations under the slogan “Latin America – a homeland for all, with peace, solidarity and social justice.”
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The second one will gather the presidents of 35 nations from the two Americas and be marked by Cuba’s first participation in this kind of forum since its beginning in 1994, and after long and intensive efforts by most of regional countries.
Cuban President Raul Castro arrived in this capital yesterday night, leading his country’s delegation to the statesmen’s meeting.
The denominated alternative summit has the assistance of union, rural, indigenous, student, human rights, environmentalist, women organizations and “all those that have something to say about the great and serious problems affecting our peoples,” according to the call.
Bolivia’s President, Evo Morales, and Ecuador’s Rafael Correa, among others, also already confirmed their assistance.
The main issues of the meeting are the need to lift the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade on Cuba, and the derogation of the decree by U.S. President Barack Obama, declaring Venezuela a threat for his country.
Other speeches will be on Puerto Rico’s right to independence, Bolivia’s demand for access to the sea, and the need for reparation for civilian victims of 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.
The meeting will be held at the auditorium of the University of Panama, a scenario that was chosen in 2000 as a target of a failed terrorist attack against the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.
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