Non-Aligned Summit Opens In Venezuela But Only A few World Leaders Show-Up

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (bottom C), Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (bottom L), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (bottom R) and other presidents, leaders and head of delegations pose for a family photo during the 17th Non-Aligned Summit in Porlamar, Venezuela September 17, 2016. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Reuters: Venezuela summit draws few leaders in blow to Maduro

Only a handful of leaders have traveled to a meeting of a large Cold War-era bloc in Venezuela this week, in an embarrassment for the crisis-hit socialist government.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has touted the 17th meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement as one that would "be remembered for centuries," as the unpopular leftist seeks to bolster his international legitimacy.

Yet the turnout from the 120-nation Cold War-era bloc has paled compared to past meetings, including the previous summit in Iran in 2012, attended by some 35 heads of state.

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas, as well as regional allies from Cuba, Ecuador and Bolivia are among the few heads of states who have landed on the Caribbean island of Margarita.

The half-century old movement formed by nations wanting to avoid aligning with the United States or Soviet Union has dwindled in relevance over the years.

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Update: Venezuela's Crisis Keeps Non-Aligned Summit Turnout Low (AP)

WNU Editor: Talk about a bust. In the past this was always a huge summit .... but today it has become irrelevant. This is an embarrassment for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro .... and for the non-aligned movement as a whole.