Dr.Ahmadinejad described Latin America as an important region, saying that “many of the world’s important developments have happened in this region and will continue to happen [there] in the future as well.”

Dr.Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a ceremony held to grant the Islamic Republic’s Medal of Excellence to the former ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela David Velasquez on Wednesday.

“Latin America is the starting point for deep-rooted revolutionary uprisings which the arrogant powers have suppressed in the worst inhuman ways,” the president added.

He said the people of Latin America and the Caribbean are now after realizing their revolutionary and humane ideals with the support of the revolutionary movements.

President noted that [the Venezuelan President] Mr. Hugo Chavez has organized a great and effective movement and stood up to Imperialism in a region which until recently was the backyard of the flag-bearer of imperialism.

“Although the international bullies have wielded all their power to stop the waves of independence-seeking, justice and freedom-seeking of the nations of this region, they have failed and are helpless against the extensive, powerful and popular front by the Latin American nations.”