Twelve years after the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to this regional initiative. Army General Raúl Castro Ruz announced the agreement at the 2nd Summit of Celac, signed by 33 heads of state. The commemoration highlights the need to defend sovereignty against external interventions.
January 29 marks the anniversary of the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, an achievement adopted at the 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) in 2014. In Havana, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz presented the document to the world, emphasizing the commitment of the 33 signatory countries to resolve disputes peacefully and eliminate the use or threat of force in the region.
The agreement sets key obligations, such as not intervening in the internal affairs of other states, respecting national sovereignty, equality, and self-determination. It also recognizes the inalienable right of each nation to choose its political, economic, social, and cultural system, essential for peaceful coexistence.
In the current context, the commemoration recalls recent events, such as the attack on Venezuela on January 3, viewed as a violation of regional peace. The text criticizes imperial actions aimed at dividing the region and exploiting natural resources, rather than improving living standards in areas like food, health, education, and employment.
"Today is the most important moment for all the peoples of the continent to act together, in order to preserve this great achievement," the reflection states on collective defense. The peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean are guardians of this commitment, opposing economic sanctions, terrorism, or military attacks that violate international law, including the kidnapping of elected leaders and parliamentarians.
