The 15th ALBA-TCP Political Council is being held at a difficult moment, when unity, organization and solidarity are necessary, noted Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla on April 10, summarizing the significance of the meeting held that day in the Cuban capital.
The meeting served as a day of analysis and debate on permanent and specific issues that concern the countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).
Likewise, the final declaration of the 14th Extraordinary ALBA-TCP Summit, held last month in Caracas, was ratified, and the commitment of member states to the principles outlined in the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace was reaffirmed.
The context of the meeting was marked by the right wing offensive, supported by foreign interests, against progressive governments in Venezuela, Ecuador and Nicaragua, with the backing of obsolete institutions such as the Organization of American States (OAS).
The event coincided with the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the creation of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, founded by José Martí to fight for the unconditional independence of the island.
ALBA IS A PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR OUR AMERICA
ALBA-TCP is a protective shield, a retaining wall of principles based on the self-determination of the peoples, affirmed Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez.
During an interview, the Foreign Minister noted that various regional issues were analyzed during the event, from an integrationist perspective.
We left very happy with this meeting, it is a message of peace for the entire Great Homeland, she said.
On recalling Fidel and Chávez, Rodríguez said that they constitute examples for the organization: “They are two giants who met and formed this beautiful light that is ALBA.”
Rodríguez thanked the ALBA-TCP member countries for the declaration in support of her country, which in recent weeks has faced an imperialist offensive and media campaign, supported by right wing sectors and the Organization of American States.
She also called for a proper OAS institutional framework, an organization repeatedly described as the “Ministry of Colonies”.
Meanwhile, Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Guillaume Long noted that the event provided an opportunity to confidently discuss and draw up joint strategies as an integrationist bloc.
Referring to the recently held presidential elections in his country, in which the Alianza País candidate, Lenín Moreno, was victorious, Long thanked ALBA-TCP countries for being the first to extend their congratulations.
After ten years of the Citizens’ Revolution, it was very important to continue on the path of development, with the goal of achieving greater social justice, and to continue to reap great successes, he stressed.
According to the Minister, the last two years have been complex for his country, due to a series of factors: the fall in the prices of raw materials and oil, as well as the terrible earthquake of April 16, 2016, with recovery costs of $3.5 billion dollars.
However, he noted that just as President Rafael Correa says, it is not only in the good times that a government should be evaluated, but also in the face of complex situations.
The people rewarded us for our administration at times of difficulty and we were triumphant, Long stated, explaining that the electoral process was impeccable, according to all the international missions that observed it.
Despite this, he emphasized that a small section of the opposition refused to recognize its defeat, and has generated considerable acts of violence and instability, that hurt the country and the democracy it has built.
The Ecuadoran Foreign Minister expressed his belief that this week everything would return to normal, as there is widespread rejection of these bad losers, who insist on not recognizing the results.
Long concluded by noting that the next four years of Lenín Moreno’s term of office will represent the continuity of the historic project known as the Citizens’ Revolution.
(Granma)