Venezuela hosted an event of youth from countries belonging to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP). The event took place this Saturday within the framework of the World Congress of Antifascist Youth and Students.

Jorge Arreaza, Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance, addressed the young attendees, emphasizing the importance of establishing ALBA Youth—a new initiative to be created within the regional bloc.

“All our peoples have a history of popular struggle, and their faces reflect diversity. That is what ALBA represents: the convergence of all struggles, of all liberation processes of our peoples. We have so much to draw upon—each of our nations has examples of indigenous resistance, Afro-descendant resilience, and the efforts of those who fought for our independence. These are the examples we must follow,” Arreaza stated.

He recalled that the Bolivarian Alliance, which will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary, serves as a vital platform to oppose domination—a principle at its core since its founding by Commanders Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro.

In this context, Arreaza underscored that young people must embrace ALBA’s spirit of unity and solidarity among nations, contrasting it with free-market capitalism. “ALBA was born by providing healthcare, by training doctors… I urge you to study ALBA and Bolívar,” he added.

Arreaza also announced plans to hold the first ALBA Youth meeting during the first quarter of 2025.

Meanwhile, Greece Colmenares, Minister of the People’s Power for Youth and General Secretary of the Youth Wing of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (JPSUV in Spanish), stated that young people gathered in Caracas are called upon to build a better future and advance an antifascist agenda.

Finally, Colmenares emphasized that youth have the responsibility to integrate into the Bolivarian Alliance, recognizing it as an essential space for regional struggle and the defense of the people.