by Raimundo Urrechaga
HAVANA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The annual meeting of the Sao Paulo Forum kicked off in Havana on Sunday, aiming to build consensus on the future action for the left-wing political parties and organizations in Latin America.
Senior officials at the event described the gathering as "emblematic" and having "strategic importance" for progressive movements in the region.
The opening of the forum drew 439 delegates from 100 parties, organizations and social movements, according to Monica Valente, the organization's executive secretary.
"It's not about ignoring our problems or making a list of our achievements. At this 24th meeting, we are going to have to make an in-depth analysis of the current situation of capitalism, how our adversaries behave, what our forces are," Valente told the gathering.
Despite "attacks" by right-wing governments and extremist groups using unconventional methods, such as economic warfare and media manipulation, judicial wrangling and parliamentary coups, the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean are still in the "fight," assured Valente.
"With our deepest commitment to the unity of the left, to the anti-imperialist and anti-neoliberal struggle ... I believe we will prevail," Valente said.
Jose Ramon Balaguer, head of International Relations department for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, acknowledged the complexity of the situation for the Latin American left, and invited delegates to review past mistakes in a "constructive and self-critical" way.
The experiences and collective wisdom of the Sao Paulo forum are key to promoting unity and advancing a common agenda, he said.
"We will strive to make agreements prevail. We have arrived at this event to listen and learn, and in the spirit of helping build all possible compromise," Balaguer said.
The Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, who was special guest at the opening ceremony, agreed, warning delegates that division among left-wing organizations has allowed adversaries to gain ground in the region.
To promote unity, Latin America's progressives need to strengthen regional integration blocs, he said.
"Only through the integration of our countries and mechanisms such as the ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America) and CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), will we move forward," Gonsalves said.
He also noted Latin American nations -- particularly Venezuela, Nicaragua and Brazil -- need to "defend themselves" from "imperialism's attacks."
The 24th meeting of the Sao Paulo Forum continues through July 17, with exchanges between youth groups, women and MPs, and workshops and seminars.
