Managua, October 20 (RHC)-- The Congress of the Latin American Confederation of Palestinian Institutions, COPLAC, is underway in Managua, the Nicaraguan capital.

More than 120 Palestinian workers from Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Colombia, Bolivia, Panama, Mexico, Chile, and Nicaragua are taking part alongside Palestinian organizations and representatives. The event was inaugurated by the Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, Denis Moncada Colindres, and it continues through Sunday, October 22nd.

During the congress, a new Board of Directors will be elected. The representatives hope to “strengthen Latin American and Caribbean solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” in the face of the ongoing occupation by Israel, according to a COPLAC statement.

COPLAC was founded in 1984, and is linked to the Palestinian Liberation Organization. “COPLAC represents all Palestinians who live in Latin America and the Caribbean and their descendants, who total around 700,000 people,” the current General Secretary, Hanna Safieh said.

“We want to express our happiness that Nicaragua has been chosen for this event that brings together Palestinian residents with those who work in Latin America,” the Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo said.

Under the leadership of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, Nicaragua has long been a staunch advocate for the formal recognition of the Palestinian state in the United Nations and other international organizations. But Chile has the largest Palestinian community, with nearly 500,000 living and working there, making it not only the largest Palestinian diaspora community in Latin America, but also outside the Middle Eastern region.