The Latin American Presidential Mission, an association of former heads of state dedicated to promoting greater regional integration, effective and transparent governance, and sustainable and equitable development, has expressed interest in fostering closer ties with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Executive Director Wesley Kirton, World Trade Centre Guyana (WTCG) told Caribbean Life that the Mission has adjusted its name to include the Caribbean and has recently been joined by former St. Lucia Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony.
This was disclosed by the Mission’s Vice President Dr. Olinda Salguero, during a recent courtesy call on CARICOM Deputy Secretary General Dr. Armstrong Alexis at the CARICOM Secretariat. Dr. Salguero was in Guyana as the special guest of World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) for its formal launch activities last month, according to Kirton.
He also noted that the Latin American Presidential Mission was launched at the Global Peace Convention in Atlanta, USA in November 2012 with eight former presidents from Latin America. It has grown to include some 20 former heads of state from 12 Latin American countries, as well as a former prime minister from the Caribbean.
“During the courtesy call on the CARICOM deputy secretary general, facilitated by WTCG, the two organisations exchanged ideas on strategies for strengthening peace and enhancing development in the region. Attention was focused inter alia on efforts to enhance the role of women in society, expanding trade between Latin America and the Caribbean and the green economy,” said Kirton.
The Mission was founded by the Global Peace Foundation in collaboration with the Paraguay Institute for Development of Thought, the Esquipulas Foundation of Guatemala, and the Leadership Conference of Uruguay (LCU).
The Latin American Presidential Mission hosts annual meetings, as well as regional and international conferences. To date, major conferences have been held in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Guatemala. Former presidents joined human rights experts, educators, and business leaders in forums addressing regional issues, including the independence of the judiciary, threats to democratic institutions in Latin America, development opportunities through investments in science and the green economy, regional security, and youth culture in the context of battles against drug trafficking.
Salguero was accompanied on the courtesy call by John Dickson, a member of the board of directors of the Mission and Kirton, executive director (WTCG).
On the granting of the WTCG license to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) in 2022, former Guatemalan President and Secretary General of the Central American Integration System (SICA) Vinicio Cerezo, in extending congratulations to DDL, hailed the license granting as a significant step to further link Latin America and the Caribbean and for joining forces to tackle many important multilateral issues.
