Correa exhorted regional integration and the partial legalization of drugs

The forum’s theme was ‘Towards a new model of economic and social development’. The President said that it was necessary to “repair” the distance between South America and Central America.

“We still have much to learn about teamwork and self-criticism,” adding that the union would allow, for example, “to put conditions on large transnational” when setting royalties for the exploitation of its natural resources.

Correa also referred to the drug issue, noting that “we should be more flexible” and consider “to partially legalize” the consumption of some drugs, as an option to reduce the problem.

He also stressed the need to prioritize the benefit of humans rather than to capital, and thereby be able to reduce poverty.