A mild, good-intentions, no surprises marks the CELAC Caracas Declaration

The 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, or CELAC, (including Cuba’s Raul Castro and specifically excluding the US and Canada) drew short of any more overt anti-Western rhetoric as some analysts had predicted at the meeting which had the self-proclaimed “anti-imperialist” and leader of the Bolivarian revolution Chavez as the main star.

Rather, its 22 final declaration ranged wordily but mildly over the need to combat global ills like price speculation, drugs, terrorism, nuclear arms and cruelty to migrants.

“I don't think we're exaggerating if we call it a historic day” said Chavez, 57, for whom the summit achieved two aims: setting up a regional body without the United States and Canada, and allowing him to showcase his recovery from cancer treatment.

For more: A mild, good-intentions, no surprises marks the CELAC Caracas Declaration — MercoPress