UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) is a bloc that seeks to strengthen commercial, cultural, political and social relations between the twelve nations of South America – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela – in addition to the participation, as observers, of two Latin American countries: Mexico and Panama.
This project was proposed in 2004 during a meeting of Heads of State and Government of South American countries, held in Peru, in the city of Cusco. On that occasion, the South American Community of Nations was established, which came to be called the Union of South American Nations in 2007, during a meeting to discuss energy issues of the subcontinent.
On May 23, 2008, in Brasília, the political representatives of the 12 South American countries signed a document formalizing the creation of UNASUR, which will enter into force after the treaty is ratified by at least nine members of the block. According to this document, UNASUR will be structured as follows:
- Council of Heads of State and Government.
- Council of Foreign Ministers.
- Council of Delegates.
- General secretary.
In addition to these departments, seven other Ministerial Councils were developed, working in the areas of energy, health, defense, social development, combating drug trafficking, infrastructure and planning, education, culture, science, technology and innovation. The bloc's presidency is exercised by government representatives, with a duration of one year, alternating following the alphabetical order of the member nations.
The establishment of UNASUR will be of great importance for the integration of these countries, because, through the implantation of a free trade area, there will be greater flexibility in trade relations, movement of people and goods. Another relevant aspect is the union of the two economic blocs in South America (Mercosur and CAN – Andean Community), in addition to the possibility of creating a single currency, called “pacha”.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
