Caracas, June 20, 2024. – “We will follow the paths marked by our own drums with our rhythms. ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty) is like the drum, it makes us rebel us against oppression, against injustice, and it confirms that we were born together and that only together we can be happy.”

This was expressed by the Executive Secretary of the Alliance on Thursday during the inauguration of the “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity” event, which is being held in Venezuela from June 20 to 23.

In his speech, Arreaza emphasized that this is a celebration not only for music but also for the exchange of knowledge and culture among the countries of ALBA, as well as the Latin American, Caribbean, and African regions.

“We are all Afro-descendants. The drums and their beats are a call to consciousness; the drums heal, warn, direct (…) In the cultural code of Mother Africa, their origins beat and unite us towards the future,” he highlighted.

He also recalled that ALBA is the creation of Hugo Chávez Frías and Fidel Castro. “Our commanders created ALBA like the drum, because they united us to walk together, for integration.”

Arreaza stated: “If we do not integrate our heritages, if we do not embrace them, if we do not dance together, that integration will be little more than nothing. ALBA is the daughter of Simón Bolívar, and Bolívar belongs to all of us.”

Jorge Arreaza welcomed the member countries of the Alliance and all the nations that have come to share their tradition and cultural expression to this celebration.

Countries from the bloc attending the event include: Cuba, Bolivia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among other guests such as Benin, Colombia, and Honduras.