CARACAS, December 2.— "The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States is more than a meeting of governments; it is a community of states, of peoples, in pursuit of Bolívar's dream. Today in Caracas, a giant was born, called CELAC and its heart is to be found in our homeland, Venezuela. Long live the people of the Americas!"

With these words, the President Hugo Chávez of the Bolivarian Republic, summarized the founding of CELAC in a ceremony held here today within the Teresa Carreño Theater, with presidents, heads of state and high-ranking officials from 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries, according to VTV.

"A substantive, true union - economic, political, cultural, technological - must be constructed, conscious that this is the path," he said to the continent's representatives.

In a moving speech, the Venezuelan President, as host of the historic summit, thanked Mexican President Felipe Calderón who preceded him at the podium.

The leader of the Mexican nation had cited Simón Bolívar's Letter from Jamaica and emphasized the grand idea of creating a new world in one great nation, united by a single and great connection. "Today, two centuries later, Bolívar's ideal maintains its relevance," he said.

Political integration is a living aspiration of the peoples, he said, recalling that the initial unity summit was organized on Mexican soil, in Cancún, one of the concrete steps which led to what is today CELAC.

"At this time, when the major world powers are facing a serious economic crisis, we in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean must strengthen our unity and fair commercial trade to avoid falling into the financial problems affecting developed countries," he asserted.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff began the comments of heads of state during CELAC's founding plenary session, by acknowledging the effort made to host the regional meeting in the Venezuelan capital. "Here in Caracas, there are leaders present who are making the dream of integration a reality in their own countries," she emphasized and added, "It's a construction process that requires patience, with respect for plurality, independence and sovereignty, in order to achieve true unity."

President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia explained that Latin America has what the world needs - energy and water and the potential to grow food. "If we promote integration, we will make a big difference on a world scale," he said.

Argentina's President Cristina Fernández agreed in that this integration is not for or against anyone, but rather for the entire region.

"We have the historic opportunity to become the great protagonists of the 21st century, all of the Latin American, Caribbean and Central American region, but for this we need mechanisms. Concrete policies, very strong alliances - not only in the economic field but, surely, also on the political level," she commented.

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas, praised the fact that CELAC will not be a bloc which ignores small countries.

Also speaking in support of integration were the leaders of Ecuador, Rafael Correa; of Jamaica, Andrew Holness; of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo and of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández.

Fernando Lugo, President of Paraguay, affirmed that the region has the historic experience and political maturity needed, "We have come to understand that our realities are one and the same." He also emphasized that integration in the area of energy will be key to strengthening CELAC.

Before concluding his remarks, Chávez read a congratulatory letter from the President of China, Jintao, praising CELAC's founding.

"We continue to move forward in the strengthening of PETROCARIBE, the strengthening of its institutions, an unprecedented effort based on the principles of sovereignty, solidarity and addressing issues of asymmetry and differences," affirmed Rafael Ramírez, Venezuelan Minister of Petroleum and Mining, concluding the PETROCARIBE 8th Council of Ministers’ meeting at the Petroleos de Venezuela La Campiña facility, in Caracas.

The meeting, which included four prime ministers from eastern Caribbean island countries, approved a verification mechanism for all projects and programs, and created a directorate for the functioning of PETROCARIBE, composed of representatives from the Lesser Antilles, the Greater Antilles, Central America, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela, according to AVN.

Ramírez indicated that, among the accomplishments of PETROCARIBE, this mechanism guarantees the supply of 43% of the energy required by the 18 countries which make up the organization, 98,000 barrels of oil a day.