Buenos Aires, August 14 (RHC-PL)-- The re-establishment of relations between Cuba and the United States, as a result of the Cuban people's strength, is very positive for Latin America, due to its contribution to the objective of regional integration and to guarantee it as a zone of peace. The statements were made by Oscar Laborde, secretary for Integration at the Argentinean Foreign Ministry, and Pablo Vilas, director of Casa Patria Grande Presidente Nestor Kirchner, both candidates to Parlasur, in interviews with Prensa Latina.

In the first place, we must highlight the Cuban people's valor to reach this moment, said Ambassador Laborde, who recalled that despite the demise of the Soviet Union, Cuba faced the economic crisis and the stepping up of the US blockade, and sustained the Revolution.

Then came the rejection of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), a stance that boosted the ideals of Latin American integration; the Union of Southern Nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean Nations (CELAC) were founded, an integration movement in which Cuba has played a major role.

Washington perceives this regional articulation in which the blockade of Cuba is condemned and it is unsustainable for the United States, because it replaces the OAS (Organization of American States), so it needs to further have Latin America at its disposal, he pointed out.

The U.S. government then decided to admit that its hostility towards Cuba was a failed policy, although the circles of power do not give in the objective of overthrowing the Cuban government, now with other methods, Laborde warned.

"Therefore, Cuba's stance is an example of struggle on one hand and, in addition, a contribution for Latin America to be recognized by the United States, so that it will treat us as equal although it can be annoying to it," the official concluded.

According to Villa, the reestablishment of those ties "is very positive to achieve the dream of the Great Homeland of Our Americas and the construction of the generation of the bicentennial that we make up."

Washington admits its historic error when it starts questioning its hostile blockade and demands the lifting of that policy, due to the wise policy of the Cuban Revolution of not giving in, so it gained support from Latin America.