Cuba’s exclusion from Summit evokes response

Countries vow to stay away from Summit if Cuba is left out.

HAVANA, Cuba, Monday April 16, 2012 – It is unlikely that there will be a final agreement at the next meeting of the Summit of the Americas after Cuba was excluded by the United States and Canada.

And, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Mr. Nicolas Maduro declared that his country will not attend another Summit that excluded Cuba.

He will be joined by the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, and Argentina. The has declared that it may not sign a final declaration for the Cartagena de Indias meeting, to show opposition to the persistent exclusion of Cuba from the Summits.

But while the exclusion of Cuba from the Summit is a major bone of contention, there is also a lack of consensus on a number of other key issues. These issues include the debate on drugs and their decriminalization before the Final Declaration can be signed.

In addition, issues related to poverty, inequality, and matters of safety and access to technology, natural and environmental matters are also on the table to be discussed. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)