Caracas, December 14, 2024 – During his speech at the 24th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America–Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Claudius Francis, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of Saint Lucia, reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to supporting the interaction within the Bolivarian Alliance.

Speaking from the Simón Bolívar Park Convention Center in La Carlota, Venezuela, Francis also called for strengthening communication channels and promoting integration as essential tools to counter the assaults of imperialism.

Additionally, on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia, Francis condemned the blockade and sanctions imposed on Cuba and reaffirmed his country’s support for Venezuela and other member nations of the regional bloc, which this Saturday celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding.

ALBA was established on December 14, 2004, in Havana, Cuba, through the signing of a Joint Declaration and the Agreement for the Implementation of ALBA by Commanders Hugo Chávez Frías, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba.

The Alliance is composed of ten member countries: Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with Honduras and Palestine participating as special guests.