South American leaders launch 12-nation bloc

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2004

CUSCO, Peru (AFP) — South American leaders launched an ambitious project here to integrate the 361-million-people-strong continent into a 12-nation economic and political bloc dubbed the South American Community of Nations.

Twelve nations signed the Cusco Declaration in this Andean city to give birth to the group, which Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said could take a shape similar to the European Union in 20 years.

"We are here to give ... soul, heart and life to the dream of (Simon) Bolivar," Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo said, referring to the South American independence icon who fought Spain in the 19th century and hoped to unify the continent into one country.

In addition to Chavez and Toledo, the presidents of Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile,...