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Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called CELAC a "death sentence" for US interference in Latin America.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said five key topics would be discussed:
(1) CELAC's political structure and decision-making process;
(2) energy independence;
(3) social development in areas of food, health and education;
(4) environmental issues and development; and
(5) global economic crisis conditions and consequences, as well as independence from the IMF, World Bank, and other predatory international lending organizations.
Culture Minister Pedro Calzadilla said "Caracas is going to become not just a celebration of Latin American union from the political point of view, but also from the cultural one."
Free events will include films, dance performances, photo exhibits, art displays, poetry readings, Gustavo Dudamel conducting Venezuela's Youth Symphonic Orchestra, other music, and a regional food festival.
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