Kingstown, March 1 (RHC)-- The president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, on Friday urged all nations that make up the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to ratify the commitment that they will not use violence against fraternal peoples.

During the VIII Summit of the intergovernmental mechanism of regional integration, which is in session in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the head of state recalled the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, ratified during the Celac summit held in Havana in December 2014.

She stressed that despite all the difficulties it faces, the region managed to maintain its historical custom of continuing to be free of warlike conflicts.  The Honduran leader emphasized that the problems and differences between the countries that make up the bloc must be resolved among them, without interference or meddling, with dialogue as a tool and always thinking of the benefit of the peoples.

Peace is not only the absence of conflict.  It is also justice, memory, truth, the right of children to go to school, fighting poverty, ending hunger, which is the worst form of violence, she said.

She noted that peace must also be based on respect and non-interference, sovereignty and self-determination, and respect for the rights of other peoples. She also called for the promotion of friendship, cooperation and exchange among the nations of the area.

Castro de Zelaya described as an honor the act of assuming the pro tempore presidency of CELAC, which Honduras will receive during this summit and will hold until 2025, when it will be transferred to Colombia.

The Honduran president also sent a warm embrace to the peoples of the region and reaffirmed his country's inescapable commitment to peace.  "This presidency of Honduras is a defender of peace," she stressed.