The World Social Forum held in Venezuela "is part of the way that will take us to the 21st Century Socialism," Brazilian pro-government Partido de los Trabajadores (PT) stated in a press release issued Wednesday, as quoted by AFP.

During a press conference, PT Secretary-General Raul Pont jumped in defense of the government of President Hugo Chávez. "It has adopted crucial measures for his country."

"Chávez has been accused of being authoritarian and a dictator, but he just won elections," the leader added.

PT also expressed "immense happiness for the election and inauguration of President Evo Morales in Bolivia and Michelle Bachelet in Chile."

"With this, governments become an integral part of a block composed already of Hugo Chávez, Néstor Kirchner, (Brazilian President) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and (Uruguayan President) Tabaré Vázquez, who head leftwing, progressive governments, the cooperation of which should be further consolidated, and the number of which is intended to be larger in 2006," the communiqué noted.