The third Pan-American Congress opened in Montevideo on Friday, August 21. Its participants criticized US policy toward Latin America and urged progressive forces to engage in self-criticism. According to MercoPress, more than 150 parliamentarians, former presidents, ministers and political figures from 15 countries are taking part in the event at the Legislative Palace.
Former Chilean President Gabriel Boric said there was a need for consistency between political statements and actions. He criticized what he called the “new imperialism” associated with Donald Trump and said that major powers are now speaking not about democracy, but directly about oil at the expense of another people. At the same time, Boric urged his allies to acknowledge mistakes: according to him, Nicolás Maduro stole the election, and his presidency at that time was illegitimate.
MercoPress reports that Maduro was captured in Caracas on January 3 during a US military operation and remains in custody in the United States. According to the outlet, Delcy Rodríguez has been serving as acting president of Venezuela since then.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Forum participants also raised the issue of Washington’s actions in the region, mentioning intervention, strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and sanctions against Cuba. Former Colombian President Ernesto Samper called for restoring Latin American integration and strengthening ties with the Global South. He noted that the region has strategic water, food and mineral resources, but lacks sufficient political coordination to protect its interests.
US House of Representatives member Pramila Jayapal said that opposition is growing in her country to spending taxes on military operations abroad instead of healthcare and raising living standards. Uruguayan Vice President Carolina Cosse spoke about disinformation, while Carolina Rangel, a representative of Mexico’s Morena party, proposed combining economic growth with social rights. The congress program covers peace, security and multilateralism, sustainable development and regional integration, digital sovereignty and artificial intelligence, as well as well-being and care policy. The sessions will continue until Sunday and conclude at Parlasur headquarters.
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