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New US-free Americas bloc planned New US-free Americas bloc planned
(10 minutes later)
Latin American and Caribbean nations have agreed to set up a new regional body without the US and Canada, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has said.Latin American and Caribbean nations have agreed to set up a new regional body without the US and Canada, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has said.
The new bloc would be an alternative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), the main forum for regional affairs in the past 50 years.The new bloc would be an alternative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), the main forum for regional affairs in the past 50 years.
Mexico is hosting a regional summit in the beach resort of Cancun.Mexico is hosting a regional summit in the beach resort of Cancun.
The OAS has been dogged by rifts between some Latin American members and the US over economic policy and trade.The OAS has been dogged by rifts between some Latin American members and the US over economic policy and trade.
Its has also been criticised as promoting US interests over those of other members.Its has also been criticised as promoting US interests over those of other members.
The new grouping "must as a priority push for regional integration... and promote the regional agenda in global meetings," Mr Calderon told the summit, which includes leaders and representatives from 32 countries. 'Regional integration'
The proposed new grouping was one of the main issues on the agenda of the two-day summit, ending on Tuesday.The proposed new grouping was one of the main issues on the agenda of the two-day summit, ending on Tuesday.
It "must as a priority push for regional integration... and promote the regional agenda in global meetings," Mr Calderon told the summit, which includes leaders and representatives from 32 countries.
Cuban President Raul Castro was quick to applaud Mr Calderon's announcement as a historic move toward "the constitution of a purely Latin American and Caribbean regional organisation".Cuban President Raul Castro was quick to applaud Mr Calderon's announcement as a historic move toward "the constitution of a purely Latin American and Caribbean regional organisation".
Cuba was suspended from the OAS in 1962 because of its socialist political system. In 2009, the OAS voted to lift Cuba's suspension but the country has declined to rejoin.Cuba was suspended from the OAS in 1962 because of its socialist political system. In 2009, the OAS voted to lift Cuba's suspension but the country has declined to rejoin.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez earlier expressed his support for the proposal, citing it as a move away from US "colonising" of the region.Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez earlier expressed his support for the proposal, citing it as a move away from US "colonising" of the region.
A US State Department official said he did not see the new body as replacing the OAS.A US State Department official said he did not see the new body as replacing the OAS.
The summit has also reportedly backed Argentina's claim over the British-owned Falklands. The terms of the new bloc and whether it would replace the Rio Group of Latin American countries has not been clarified.
On Monday, Bolivian President Evo Morales proposed that it begin operating in July 2011 with a summit hosted by Venezuela.
What do you think of the proposed new regional body? Do you think it is necessary? Send us your comments using the form below. Falklands row
name="say"> The Cancun summit has also reportedly backed Argentina's claim over the British-owned Falklands.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/terms/">Terms & Conditions Argentina is angered that a UK firm has begun drilling for oil off the Falkland Islands, which lie about 450km (280 miles) off the Argentine coast.
Argentina and Britain went to war over the South Atlantic islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas, in 1982, after Buenos Aires invaded them.
The leaders at Cancun were also to discuss whether to recognise Porfirio Lobo as the legitimate president of Honduras after he was elected president under interim authorities following a 28 June coup that ousted Manuel Zelaya.
A long-term plan to help Haiti recover from the devastating January earthquake was also on the agenda.