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Community of Latin American and Caribbean States

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"CELAC" redirects here. For other uses, see Celac.

Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
Logo of Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
Logo
Map of North, Central and South America indicating CELAC members:
  Member countries
  Claimed territoriesa
Official languages
Demonym(s)
  • Latin American
  • Caribbean
Membership33 member states
Leaders
Honduras Xiomara Castro
EstablishmentFebruary 23, 2010 (2010-02-23)
Population
• 2011 estimate
600,000,000
  1. Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are claimed by Argentina.

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)[a] is a regional bloc of Latin American and Caribbean states proposed on February 23, 2010, at the Rio Group–Caribbean Community Unity Summit,[1][2][3] and created on December 3, 2011, in Caracas, Venezuela, with the signing of the Declaration of Caracas.[4] It consists of 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and has five official languages.[5]

CELAC was created to deepen Latin American integration and to reduce the significant influence of the United States on the politics and economics of Latin America. It is seen as an alternative to the Organization of American States (OAS), a regional body that was founded by United States and 21 other Latin American nations in 1948 as a countermeasure to potential Soviet influence in the region.[6][7] Cuba, which was suspended from the OAS in 1962 and has since refused to rejoin, is a member of CELAC.[6]

CELAC is the successor of the Rio Group and the Latin American and Caribbean Summit on Integration and Development (CALC).[8] In July 2010, CELAC selected President of Venezuela Hugo Chávez and President of Chile Sebastián Piñera, as co-chairs of the forum to draft statutes for the organization.[citation needed]

History

[edit]

2008–2010: Brazil and Mexico initiatives

[edit]
See also: Rio Group, I Latin American and Caribbean Summit on Integration and Development, and Latin American and Caribbean Unity Summit

The immediate predecessor of the CELAC is the Rio Group. Formed in 1986, it gathered 24 Latin American and Caribbean countries around summits to cooperate regional policy issue independently of the United States.[9]

On 16–17 December 2008, the I Latin American and Caribbean Summit on Integration and Development (CALC) took place in Costa do Sauipe, Bahia, Brazil. It was organized at the initiative of the Lula administration with the goal of building cooperation mechanism with greater autonomy from the United States and Canada. Most heads of state from Latin America and the Caribbean states attended, with the exception of President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe and President of Peru Alan García.[10] The summit finished with the signing of the Bahia Declaration, a common agenda establishing the following priorities: cooperation between mechanism of regional and subregional integration, the global financial crisis, energy, infrastructures, social development and eradication of hunger and poverty, food security, sustainable development, natural disasters, human rights promotion, migration, South–South cooperation and Latin America and Caribbean projection.[11][12]

In 2008, the Calderón administration of Mexico proposed the creation of the Latin American and the Caribbean Union (Spanish: Unión Latinoamericana y del Caribe, ULC). The proposal was formalized on 27 March 2009 at Rio Group meeting. At the initiative of Mexico, the XXI Rio Summit and the II CALC summit were held together on 22–23 February 2010 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The joint summit was named the Latin American and Caribbean Unity Summit and the 33 attending states decided to create the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which would be formally established in 2011.[13]

Hugo Chávez, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Rafael Correa were among the other prominent left-wing leaders who praised the creation of CELAC.[14]

The announcement prompted debate and discussion across Latin America and the Caribbean about whether it was more beneficial to have close ties with the U.S. and Canada or to work independently.[15]

Raúl Zibechi, writing for Mexico's center-left La Jornada newspaper said, "The creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States is part of a global and continental shift, characterized by the decline of U.S. hegemony and the rise of a group of regional blocs that form part of the new global balance."[16]

An editorial in Brazil's Estadão newspaper said, "CELAC reflects the disorientation of the region's governments in relation to its problematic environment and its lack of foreign policy direction, locked as it is into the illusion that snubbing the United States will do for Latin American integration what 200 years of history failed to do."[14]

2011: Founding

[edit]
Main article: 2011 CELAC summit

CELAC's inaugural summit was due to be held in mid-2011, but was postponed because of the ill-health of Hugo Chávez, president of the host nation, Venezuela. The summit was instead held on December 2 and 3, 2011, in Caracas.[17] It primarily focused on the global economic crisis and its effects on the region. Several leaders, including presidents Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Dilma Rousseff and Juan Manuel Santos, encouraged an increase in regional trade, economic development, and further economic cooperation among members in order to defend their growing economies.[15]

Chávez, and other leaders such as Rafael Correa and Daniel Ortega, expressed hope that the bloc would work to further Latin American integration, end U.S. hegemony and consolidate control over regional affairs.[15] Chávez, citing the Monroe Doctrine as the original confirmation of U.S. interference in the region, openly called for CELAC to replace the OAS: "As the years go by, CELAC is going to leave behind the old and worn-out OAS." Correa called for a new human rights commission to replace the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Other leaders argued that the organisation should be used as a tool to resolve regional disagreements and uphold democratic values, but not as a replacement of the OAS.[15] Santos stated that he would like to see dialogue within the group over whether existing counter-drug regulations should be revised.[15] The president of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) said he expects that Parlatino will become the main legislative institution of CELAC.[18] Amongst the key issues on the agenda were the creation of a "new financial architecture," sanction for maintaining the legal status of coca in Bolivia and the rejection of the Cuban embargo by the U.S.[19]

United States President Barack Obama's senior adviser on Latin America, Daniel Restrepo, informed reporters from Miami that the U.S. government would "watch and see what direction CELAC takes".[20]

Brazil decided to suspend its participation in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in January 2020 under the administration of Jair Bolsonaro.[21] Following the 2022 Brazilian general election, newly elected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signalled his intention to rejoin the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States,[22] and effectively did so in the first days of his administration.[23]

In June 2023, CELAC recognized the Latin American and Caribbean character of the island of Puerto Rico and “calls on the UN General Assembly to examine the question of Puerto Rico in its entirety and in all its aspects, and rule on this matter as soon as possible”.[1].


Member states

[edit]
Antigua and BarbudaArgentinaBahamasBarbadosBelizeBoliviaBrazilCanadaChileColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorGrenadaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasJamaicaMexicoMontserratNicaraguaPanamaParaguayPeruSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSurinameTrinidad and TobagoUnited StatesUruguayVenezuelaInter-American Treaty of Reciprocal AssistanceCommunity of Latin American and Caribbean StatesLatin American Economic SystemUnion of South American NationsAmazon Cooperation Treaty OrganizationAndean CommunityMercosurCaribbean CommunityPacific AllianceALBACentral American Integration SystemCentral American ParliamentOrganisation of Eastern Caribbean StatesLatin American Integration AssociationCentral America-4 Border Control AgreementUnited States–Mexico–Canada AgreementForum for the Progress and Integration of South AmericaAssociation of Caribbean StatesOrganization of American StatesPetrocaribeCARICOM Single Market and Economy
A clickable Euler diagram showing the relationships between various multinational organizations in the Americasv • d • e

CELAC comprises 33 countries, speaking five different languages: Eighteen Spanish-speaking countries

Twelve English-speaking countries

One Dutch-speaking country

One French-speaking country

One Portuguese-speaking country

Twelve members are in South America. Portuguese-speaking Brazil suspended its membership in January 2020, alleging that the organization failed to "protect democracy" in member states. The decision was taken during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro,[24] who was himself accused of attacking Brazil's democratic institutions.[25] Following the 2022 Brazilian general election, newly elected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signalled his intention to rejoin.[22] After taking office Lula reinstated Brazil's membership into the organization.[26]

Indicators

[edit]
See also: United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

The following table shows various data for CELAC member states, including area, population, economic output and income inequality, as well as various composite indices, including human development, viability of the state, rule of law, perception of corruption, economic freedom, state of peace, freedom of the press and democratic level.

Country Area[27]
(km2)
2015		 Population[28]
2015		 GDP (PPP)[28]
(Intl. $)
2015		 GDP (PPP)
per capita[28]
(Intl. $)
2015		 Income
inequality[28]
1992-2014
(latest available)		 HDI[29]
2015		 FSI[30]
2016		 RLI[31]
2016		 CPI[32]
2016		 IEF[33]
2017		 GPI[34]
2016		 WPFI[35]
2016		 DI[36]
2016
 Antigua and Barbuda 440 91,818 2,117,532,266 23,062 — 0.786 56.2 0.67 — — — — —
 Argentina 2,780,400 43,416,755 884,155,392,935 20,364 42.67 0.827 48.4 0.55 36 50.4 1.957 25.09 6.96
 Bahamas, The 13,880 388,019 8,924,827,793 23,001 — 0.792 51.6 0.61 66 61.1 — — —
 Barbados 430 284,215 4,662,763,817 16,406 — 0.795 49.0 0.67 61 54.5 — — —
 Belize 22,970 359,287 3,048,017,325 8,484 53.26 0.706 66.0 0.47 — 58.6 — 20.61 —
 Bolivia 1,098,580 10,724,705 74,577,744,269 6,954 48.40 0.674 78.5 0.40 33 47.7 2.038 31.78 5.63
 Brazil 8,515,770 207,847,528 3,198,897,964,239 15,391 51.48 0.754 65.3 0.55 40 52.9 2.176 32.62 6.90
 Chile 756,096 17,948,141 419,386,742,725 23,367 50.45 0.847 41.9 0.68 66 76.5 1.635 19.23 7.78
 Colombia 1,141,749 48,228,704 666,958,038,483 13,829 53.50 0.727 80.2 0.51 37 69.7 2.764 44.11 6.67
 Costa Rica 51,100 4,807,850 74,976,669,841 15,595 48.53 0.776 45.1 0.68 58 65.0 1.699 11.10 7.88
 Cuba 109,880 11,389,562 132,900,000,000b 11,600b — 0.775 66.3 — 47 33.9 2.057 70.23 3.46
 Dominica 750 72,680 789,634,652 10,865 — 0.726 — 0.60 59 63.7 — — —
 Dominican Republic 48,670 10,528,391 149,893,354,990 14,237 47.07 0.722 70.8 0.47 31 62.9 2.143 27.90 6.67
 Ecuador 256,370 16,144,363 185,242,693,748 11,474 45.38 0.739 75.6 0.45 31 49.3 2.020 33.21 5.81
 El Salvador 21,040 6,126,583 52,808,578,088 8,620 41.84 0.680 72.5 0.49 36 64.1 2.237 27.20 6.64
 Grenada 340 106,825 1,448,391,593 13,559 — 0.754 63.0 0.66 56 — — — —
 Guatemala 108,890 16,342,897 126,206,881,633 7,722 48.66 0.640 83.2 0.44 28 63.0 2.270 38.03 5.92
 Guyana 214,970 767,085 5,769,805,304 7,522 44.55 0.638 70.9 0.49 34 58.5 2.105 27.07 6.25
 Haiti 27,750 10,711,067 18,824,011,297 1,757 60.79 0.493 105.1 — 20 49.6 2.066 24.66 4.02
 Honduras 112,490 8,075,060 41,144,078,465 5,095 50.64 0.625 79.8 0.42 30 58.8 2.237 44.62 5.92
 Jamaica 10,990 2,725,941 24,785,002,528 8,873 45.46 0.730 65.0 0.57 39 69.5 2.091 12.45 7.39
 Mexico 1,964,380 127,017,224 2,157,817,248,941 16,988 48.21 0.762 70.4 0.46 30 63.6 2.557 49.33 6.47
 Nicaragua 130,370 6,082,032 31,628,389,092 5,200 47.05 0.645 79.0 0.42 26 59.2 1.975 28.82 4.81
 Panama 75,420 3,929,141 87,373,244,561 22,237 50.70 0.788 53.2 0.52 38 66.3 1.837 30.59 7.13
 Paraguay 406,752 6,639,123 61,069,963,183 9,198 51.67 0.693 72.6 — 30 62.4 2.037 33.63 6.27
 Peru 1,285,220 31,376,670 393,125,472,102 12,529 44.14 0.740 72.0 0.51 35 68.9 2.057 29.99 6.65
 Saint Kitts and Nevis 260 55,572 1,394,199,261 25,088 — 0.765 — 0.66 — — — — —
 Saint Lucia 620 184,999 2,024,690,870 10,944 42.58 0.735 — 0.64 60 65.0 — — —
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 390 109,462 1,219,366,997 11,140 — 0.722 — 0.61 60 65.2 — — —
 Suriname 163,820 542,975 9,069,126,393 16,703 57.61 0.725 66.7 0.53 45 48.0 — 16.70 6.77
 Trinidad and Tobago 5,130 1,360,088 45,302,518,908 33,309 40.27 0.780 57.8 0.57 35 61.2 2.056 23.29 7.10
 Uruguay 176,220 3,431,555 72,899,109,557 21,244 41.60 0.795 36.2 0.72 71 69.7 1.726 15.88 8.17
 Venezuela 912,050 31,108,083 542,198,453,528c 17,665c 46.94 0.767 81.6 0.28 17 27.0 2.651 44.77 4.68
CELACa                          
Country Area
(km2)
2015		 Population
2015		 GDP (PPP)
(Intl. $)
2015		 GDP (PPP)
per capita
(Intl. $)
2015		 Income
inequality
1992-2014
(latest available)		 HDI
2015		 FSI
2016		 RLI
2016		 CPI
2016		 IEF
2017		 GPI
2016		 WPFI
2016		 DI
2016
  • a CELAC total used for indicators 1 through 3; CELAC weighted average used for indicator 4; CELAC unweighted average used for indicators 5 through 13.
  • b Data from CIA World Factbook for 2014.
  • c Data refer to 2014.
Note: The colors indicate the country's global position in the respective indicator. For example, a green cell indicates that the country is ranked in the upper 25% of the list (including all countries with available data).
Highest quartile Upper-mid (3rd quartile) Lower-mid (2nd quartile) Lowest quartile

Organization

[edit]
See also: Pro tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States

The CELAC has six organs:[37]

The pro tempore presidency is the main representative of the CELAC. The troika is composed by the current pro tempore presidency, its predecessor, its successor and the presidency of the CARICOM.[37]

Forums

[edit]

The regional body has joint forums that work with external global entities, including China[38][39] and the European Union.

Summits list

[edit]
CELAC Summits
Summit Year Host country Host city
* 2010  Mexico Playa del Carmen
* 2011  Venezuela Caracas
I January 2013[40]  Chile Santiago
II January 2014[41]  Cuba Havana
III January 28–29, 2015[42]  Costa Rica Belén, Heredia
IV January 27, 2016[43]  Ecuador Quito
V January 24–25, 2017[44]  Dominican Republic Punta Cana
* 2018  El Salvador Did not take place
* 2019  Bolivia Did not take place
* 2020  Mexico Did not take place
VI 2021  Mexico Mexico City
VII 2023  Argentina Buenos Aires

2013 Summit – Chile

[edit]
Main article: 2013 CELAC summit
ESO exhibition area at the CELAC–EU summit in Santiago[45]

The EU-LAC Foundation chose CELAC to be the main organization representative of the relationship between European and Latin American and Caribbean countries.

2014 Summit – Cuba

[edit]
Main article: 2014 CELAC summit

During the summit, the region was declared a "peace zone". After three days and with the approval of participating representatives, a document with 83 focus points was created. It emphasized that, despite cultural and regional differences, unity between the participating countries is necessary in order to create progress. "Unity and the integration of our region must be gradually constructed, with flexibility, with respect to differences, diversity, and the sovereign right of each of our countries to choose our own forms of political and economic organization" stated the document. It also states which countries have been developing the best and how they are doing it in order for them to be a model for other countries.

The issue of poverty was widely discussed. Cuba's Raúl Castro pointed out that throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, people wanted a fairer distribution of wealth, access to affordable education, employment, better salaries, and the eradication of illiteracy. He argued that CELAC countries can work together, support each other, to create new plans and solutions for these problems.[46]

2015 Summit – Costa Rica

[edit]
Main article: 2015 CELAC summit

2016 Summit – Ecuador

[edit]
Main article: 2016 CELAC summit
Official 2016 CELAC Summit portrait in Quito, Ecuador

2017 Summit – Dominican Republic

[edit]
Main article: 2017 CELAC summit

2021 Summit – Mexico

[edit]
Main article: 2021 CELAC summit

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^
    • Spanish: Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños
    • Portuguese: Comunidade de Estados Latino-Americanos e Caribenhos
    • French: Communauté des États latino-américains et caribéens
    • Dutch: Gemeenschap van Latijns-Amerikaanse en Caraïbische Staten

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mexidata (English) March 1, 2010". Mexidata.info. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  2. ^ Acuerdan crear Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños, Associated Press, February 23, 2010.
  3. ^ América Latina crea una OEA sin Estados Unidos, El País, February 23, 2010.
  4. ^ "L. American leaders officially sign CELAC into effect as new bloc". news.xinhuanet.com. December 4, 2011. Archived from the original on December 8, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  5. ^ Gooding, Kerri. "IVCC encouraging bilingualism and cultural integration". The Barbados Advocate. Advocate Co. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2011. However, at present much of the integration occurs at the governmental, political and policy level as opposed to the personal, individual level, hence Tutor Jamal Henry added his voice to the plea by the Ambassador to have more persons embracing the culture and learning Spanish. CELAC comprises 33 nations making up an estimated population of 600 million people with five official languages. United and integrated the countries of CELAC can be powerful, "together [the 33 nations of CELAC] are the number one food exporter on the planet," further commented Ambassador Febres.
  6. ^ a b "Mexico gives birth to the Community of Latinamerican and Caribbean States – MercoPress". En.mercopress.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  7. ^ Thompson, Ginger; Barrionuevo, Alexei (March 2010). "uake Overshadows Clinton Tour of Region". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  8. ^ Presidentes constituyen la Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños Archived March 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, EFE, February 23, 2010.
  9. ^ Rojas Aravena, Altmann Borbón & Beirute Brealey 2012, pp. 25–27.
  10. ^ Rojas Aravena, Altmann Borbón & Beirute Brealey 2012, p. 27.
  11. ^ Rojas Aravena, Altmann Borbón & Beirute Brealey 2012, p. 28.
  12. ^ "Declaración de Salvador, Bahía" (PDF) (in Spanish). December 17, 2008.
  13. ^ Rojas Aravena, Altmann Borbón & Beirute Brealey 2012, pp. 29–30.
  14. ^ a b In Latin America, Rhetoric Triumphs Over Reality Estadao, Brazil, via translation by WorldMeets.US (English) February 25, 2010.
  15. ^ a b c d e Rueda, Jorge; James, Ian; Toothaker, Christopher (December 3, 2011). "Leaders at Americas talks: world economy top worry". Seattle pi. Hearst Communications Inc. Associated Press.
  16. ^ Raúl Zibechi Latin America's Inexorable March Toward 'Autonomy from the Imperial Center' La Jornada, Mexico, via translation by WorldMeets.US (English) February 26, 2010
  17. ^ "Latin American summit re-run to test Chavez health". Reuters. November 30, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  18. ^ "Parlatino Interested in Being CELAC Legislative Organization". Prensa Latina. December 2, 2011.
  19. ^ "Obama in Cartagena: No change, dwindling hope – Opinion". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  20. ^ Christopher Toothaker (December 2, 2011). "CELAC, Community of Latin American And Caribbean States, New Organization Aims To Strengthen Regional Integration". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  21. ^ "Brazil sits out leftist Latin American nations' body on anti-democracy fears". Reuters. January 16, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Lula's government plan" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Superior Electoral Court. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  23. ^ "Retorno do Brasil à CELAC" (in Portuguese).
  24. ^ "Brazil sits out leftist Latin American nations' body on anti-democracy fears". Reuters. January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  25. ^ "Human Rights Watch says Bolsonaro a threat to democracy in Brazil – report". Reuters.com. January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "Regional Re-engagement: Understanding Brazil's Return to CELAC". MIR. March 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "World Development Indicators". World Bank. March 23, 2017.
  28. ^ a b c d "World Development Indicators". World Bank. July 9, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  29. ^ "Human Development Report 2016" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. March 21, 2017.
  30. ^ "Fragile States Index 2016". The Fund for Peace. June 28, 2016. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  31. ^ "Rule of Law Index 2016". World Justice Project. October 20, 2016.
  32. ^ "Corruption Perceptions Index 2016". Transparency International. January 25, 2017.
  33. ^ "Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom". The Heritage Foundation. February 15, 2017.
  34. ^ "Global Peace Index 2016". Vision of Humanity. June 8, 2016.
  35. ^ "2016 World Press Freedom Index". Reporters Without Borders. April 20, 2016.
  36. ^ "Democracy Index 2016" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. January 25, 2017.
  37. ^ a b Bernal-Meza, Raúl (2013). Modelos o esquemas de integración y cooperación en curso en América Latina (UNASUR, Alianza del Pacífico, ALBA, CELAC): una mirada panorámica (PDF) (in Spanish). Ibero-American Institute. pp. 15–17. ISBN 978-3-935656-53-5.
  38. ^ Staff writer (February 13, 2022). "China-CELAC Agreement Could Bolster Infrastructure Development In Latin America". OilPrice.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  39. ^ Staff writer (December 7, 2021). "China – CELAC Joint Action Plan For Cooperation In Key Areas (2022–2024)". Latin America & the Caribbean. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  40. ^ "CELAC-EU summit opens in Chile – Business News". SINA English. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  41. ^ "Dilma viaja a Cuba para segunda Cúpula da Celac e inaugurar Muriel – Notícias – R7 Internacional". Noticias.r7.com. August 23, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  42. ^ "Equipos técnicos preparan los primeros documentos para Cumbre de la CELAC". January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  43. ^ “Compromiso de hermanos” reúne a mandatarios de Celac en Ecuador ANDES. January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  44. ^ "The Fifth Summit of CELAC concluded with the approval of the Santo Domingo Declaration". EU–LAC Foundation. January 25, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  45. ^ "ESO exhibition area at the CELAC–EU summit in Santiago". ESO Press Release. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  46. ^ "Conclusiones de la Cumbre de la CELAC 2014 en Cuba : AGRO Noticias". Fao.org. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

Bibliography

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