The Sao Paulo Forum’s 19th edition concluded August 4 with the approval of a document in which those in attendance expressed their support to progressive governments in the region and rejected intervention of any other kind in Latin America on the part of foreign powers.

Gabriela Rivadeneira, president of Ecuador’s National Assembly, read the event’s final declaration, in which representatives of the Latin American Left reaffirmed their opposition to the United States blockade of Cuba and demanded the release of the Cuban Five.

Rivadeneira, in the name of all Forum participants, expressed support for the Bolivarian government led by Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and rejected attempts by the right-wing in that country to discredit the democratically elected President, saying, "Our job is to radicalize the defense of our rights and our sovereignty," she said.

The Sao Paulo Forum, which began on August 1, hosted discussions addressing issues of Latin American unity and integration. In attendance on the last day of the event was Bolivian President Evo Morales, who warned of "temptations" and "inconsistencies" which cannot be tolerated in a socialist or a revolutionary. "Politics, for us, cannot be a business or a benefit. It must be service to the people," he said.

Representatives from more than a hundred social movements and left parties attended the Forum. The final declaration asserted that given "the profound crisis of capitalism," Latin America is experiencing not only "an era of change, but a change of era."

"Given the system’s crisis, the construction of alternatives represents our opportunity to move the political discourse of the Latin American and Caribbean Left to a new level, as well as moving our governments to new levels," the delegates stated, "Regional integration is Latin America’s great response."

"This response must include the perspective of creating economic complementarity, reducing asymmetries and promoting the economic and social development of our continent," the declaration continues, while condemning "attempts, inspired by powers not from the region, to fracture and sabotage regional integration, as is the case with the so-called Pacific Alliance and the never-ending effort to generate crises and division within Mercosur."

The delegates also expressed their best wishes for the health of former South African President Nelson Mandela, who is "a symbol of human freedom, justice and dignity."