Over a hundred people attended the 46the edition of the Latin American Conference which took place last week at the University of Bristol. Several expert speakers addressed the conference including Samuel Moncada, Venezuelan Ambassador in London, and Chris Bryant, British Minister of State for Europe and Under Secretary in charge of Latin American affairs.

The British Minister stated that the UK has very good relations with all Latin American countries and underlined that his Government is not influenced by the United States. According to Bryant, the cooperation agreement signed last year between the UK and Venezuela in the fight against drugs demonstrates Britain's independence from the United States in the field of foreign policy.

The Venezuelan Ambassador spoke of three aspects that are key to fostering good bilateral relations between the UK and Venezuela: respect for the sovereignty of the states, friendship between peoples and governments and a direct channel of communication between both countries.

In addition to Ambassador Moncada and Minister Bryant, two other speakers addressed the conference: Mr. Constantino Casanoplas, a representative from Oxfam, and Danny Kusklink, a representative from Transform Drug Policy Foundation.  The conference was organised by the University of Bristol.   

Press Unit of the Venezuelan Embassy in London