MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chavez and allies open alternative ALBA meeting

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is hosting this weekend in Barquisimeto his closest regional allies at the summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), an integration bloc he and Cuban ruler Fidel Castro founded in 2004 to counter the “Washington-based free trade model” better known as the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Presidents Evo Morales of Bolivia and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua have joined for the third anniversary of ALBA, together with Cuban vice president Carlos Lage, Haitian President René Preval in addition to the prime ministers of some Caribbean islands. Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs María Fernanda Espinosa is also present, as her government is eager to learn about the experience. Three years following execution of its articles of agreement, the group now comprises Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia (2006) and Nicaragua (Jan 2007), together with some Caribbean islands. Ecuador is likely to join the bloc soon. The ALBA agenda includes initiatives on education, health, manufacturing, food production and energy with "social interest before all other interests", said Chavez in the opening speech. "ALBA has consolidated and will continue to grow. FTAA is dead" he sentenced in direct reference to the US sponsored free trade of the Americas extending from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Although Fidel Castro is not attending the event since he is convalescent after a bowel operation last year, Bolivia's president Evo Morales announced the Cuban leader will be retaking his office's duties next May first with a massive demonstration in the streets of Havana. "I'm convinced that comrade Fidel will resume the duties of office on May first to continue leading the Cuban people, that wonderfully revolutionary people", said Morales.