The future of our region’s integration process is being threatened by protectionism and political interference from external forces, Senator Carlos James has cautioned.
Senator James made this pronouncement on Monday, in an address to parliamentary delegates across Latin America and the Caribbean at the 24th
Sao Paulo Forum being held in Havana, Cuba from July 15-17, 2018.
Senator James, who was selected as the Caribbean region’s representative among a five-member panel of presenters, cautioned the delegation that their respective domestic policy positions and failure to collectively defend the sovereignty of member States are adversely affecting the region’s integration process.
According to Senator James, regional leaders must become cognisant of the adverse impact that their political miscalculations are having on the region.
He noted that the Sao Paulo Forum provides an important platform for progressive movements within the region to unite in their collective fight against the varying threats in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“We therefore now have the option of either working closer together in our struggle against imperialism or allow our imperialists’ practices to divide our political position at a State and regional level,” Senator James said.
The Sao Paulo Forum brings together leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean, with the aim of uniting ideas and efforts against counter-revolutionary offensive within the region.
