Caracas, December 11, 2024. – As part of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP), commemorated on Saturday, December 14, the ALBA Model session was held this Wednesday in Caracas, Venezuela. This event served as a platform for youth-led debate, simulating a Political Council comprising representatives from the bloc’s member nations. The participating youth hailed from various social and political movements.

Jorge Arreaza, Executive Secretary of ALBA-TCP, welcomed the initiative, stating that “the objective is to train young people who will take on the path of foreign policy, focusing on topics related to the Alliance and strengthening integration processes.” The debate started with remarks from Jennifer Mujica, representing Venezuela, who expressed: “We stand 20 years after a fraternal embrace between two great men, marking a path we are currently traversing. The ALBA Model is an example of the political training and integration shared by our peoples.”

Similarly, Ander Rodríguez, also from the Bolivarian Republic, stressed the need to counter imperialist actions aimed at destabilizing the region through solidarity and the principles of ALBA’s integration. “For us, ALBA represents a strategic political alternative for the integration of Latin America,” he added.

Gabriela Gómez, representing Cuba, and Raúl Giménez, speaking for Bolivia, jointly affirmed that the Bolivarian Alliance and its member nations “do not pose a threat.” Both countries condemned the blockade imposed on Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua while also rejecting the genocide being carried out against Palestine.

Michelle Marquina, on behalf of Nicaragua, and Irene Sivira, representing Dominica, echoed their condemnation of U.S.-imposed sanctions and unilateral measures, while also voicing support for the Palestinian cause. Likewise, Verónica Alí, the delegate from Antigua and Barbuda, decried Israel’s human rights violations in Arab nations.

Yorvin Aray, representing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to ALBA-TCP and its principles of promoting social justice. Echoing Aray’s sentiments, Yasser Vielma of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Gabriel Romero of Grenada, and Alejandro Pino of Saint Lucia called for continued defense of sovereignty and peace, both of which have been significantly undermined by major powers.

Guest nations Honduras and Palestine were also represented. Zaray Pérez and Milena Vivas, speaking for their respective countries, defended the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states and emphasized the importance of the solidarity promoted by ALBA.

Darío Vivas, representing the Bank of ALBA, stated that the institution aims to create a humanitarian bridge to aid the Palestinian people. “Additionally, we will explore the possibility of granting scholarships to the people of this nation to foster development opportunities,” he added.

Finally, Rafael Arévalo, acting as the Executive Secretary of ALBA-TCP, read the Declaration of the XXV Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance, formulated during the ALBA Model. The declaration called on the International Community to demand the immediate lifting of unilateral coercive measures imposed on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as these measures “flagrantly violate the fundamental principles of International Law and the United Nations Charter.”

It is noteworthy that the Alliance’s Executive Secretariat is planning additional ALBA-TCP models to strengthen political and diplomatic training for the next generation.