Mexico City, July 31 (RHC) -- The future of Latin America depends on the integration of progressive governments and their resistance against right-wing attacks, said Cuban Communist leader Jose Ramon Balaguer in Mexico City.

Speaking at a seminar on the challenges facing progressive and leftist governments of the region, which is part of the 21st Meeting of the Sao Paulo Forum, the Cuban leader described as “extraordinary” the advancement made in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past two decades.

Balaguer, head of the Cuban Communist Party's International Relations Department, warned that whatever happens in any country of this region “will affect all of us” and he emphasized the need to continue strengthening solidarity and regional integration.

He admitted that there are many challenges facing the governments that seek justice and self-determination in Latin America. “The causes that we are defending today represent the hope and future of our region, but they also affect other latitudes, where imperialism destroyed Iraq and Libya as they now try to with Syria,” he alerted.

“The world can be different, but this will depend on our struggle and on the unity of our nations,” he pointed out.

The Cuban Communist leader is scheduled to meet in Mexico with political leaders and be received at the Mexican Congress by Senate leader Miguel Barbosa.