Hugo Chavez Voices UNASUR Economic Concerns

Caracas, Jul 29. – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday voiced the economic concerns expressed by regional heads of state during the UNASUR summit held Thursday in Lima.Chavez told Venezolana de Television via telephone that the heads of state at this meeting of South American leaders were particularly referring to the U.S. crisis and its possible impact in South America.

"The decaying empire is bankrupt," he commented.

The president also noted that regional economy ministers and presidents of central banks plan to hold a meeting on Aug. 10 or 11 in Buenos Aires.

The idea is to strengthen UNASUR economically and politically, Chavez said, insisting on the need to achieve Latin American and Caribbean integration.

The president highlighted Peruvian President Ollanta Humala's inauguration yesterday, and pointed out that in Venezuela, they would follow the sovereign process taking place in Peru.(Prensa Latina)