The Government of Dominica held the official groundbreaking ceremony for its international airport development project on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in the town of Wesley.

According to a statement from Government Press Secretary Dionne Durand-Smith, the Government of Dominica entered into a contractual agreement with Montreal Management Consultant Establishment (MMCE) in June 2021 for the construction of the International Airport. By March 2023, contractors had commenced mobilization, site excavation, and backfilling work.

“We recognize that the International Airport is a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, enhancing Dominica’s global connectivity and creating numerous employment opportunities,” she said.

She also emphasized the Government’s commitment to building a prosperous Dominica and fostering growth in tourism, trade, and business.

Dominica News Online

Caracas, November 10, 2024 – The National Meeting of ALBA Movements, Venezuela chapter, held in Caracas from November 8 to 10, concluded with the release of a Political Document condemning Imperialism and Fascism.

Over 37 Venezuelan social movements and more than 40 Communes highlighted the importance of defending unity and the Bolivarian Revolution, which faces sanctions imposed by the United States government along with unilateral and coercive measures.

Strengthening People’s Power as a central focus for the integration of grassroots organizations was another key conclusion of this national meeting.

“We have agreed to communicate the following to the Venezuelan people and our brother nations: We celebrate this meeting as a space to strengthen the unity of the Venezuelan popular movement in all its beautiful and powerful diversity, united in defense of the Bolivarian Revolution and, more specifically, advancing along the communal path toward socialism,” the participants stated in the document.

Secondly, they resolved to deliver the document to the nation with the aim of fostering the communalization of the Revolution “with our contributions for this new stage of socialist transition and for the National Congress of the Historical Bloc.”

As a third point, the document established: “We declare ourselves in an active and permanent struggle against the imperialist agenda and against fascism, which, through violence, discrimination, and the denial of Chavismo, seeks to strip the Bolivarian Revolution of the political power legitimately won by President Nicolás Maduro through popular victory.”

The meeting also served to create a common agenda of struggle, which will now be implemented across different regions of the country to expand and strengthen the organization and outreach of ALBA Movements, Venezuela chapter.

Additionally, the social movements agreed to hold a symposium titled “Communalizing ALBA” on November 29 and 30 to contribute insights for the ALBA-TCP Summit of Presidents and Heads of State, which will be held in December to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Alliance.

ALBA, Communalization, and Social Movements

Jorge Arreaza, Executive Secretary of ALBA-TCP and Vice President of Communes of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV in Spanish), emphasized: “To talk about the communalization of our peoples is also to talk about decolonization. It means returning to Simón Rodríguez and his originality, his project that cannot be a mere copy… It is about how, from this territory, we can definitively change the structure of social and economic order.”

He expressed that imperialist aggression, with its attempts on lives and its violent agenda, must be fought through communalization, uniting the people and rural workers, with productive alliances and policies encompassing all sectors of society.

Arreaza also urged the Communal Councils and communes of Venezuela to renew leadership, engage in debates on economic ideas and management, and prepare for the challenges that will emerge within the country.

He concluded, “Comrades, we are at war, and we must secure the spaces of the Revolution for the Revolution. We cannot allow the right-wing to take power next year in the regional elections.”
Arreaza further stated that ALBA is unique because, within the Bolivarian Alliance, social movements can also set agendas, direct the government, and share experiences that can be replicated quickly.

Strategy: Unifying the People’s Forces

Hernán Vargas, political coordinator of ALBA Movements, asserted that the weapon against imperialism and fascism is the communalization of the people.

“We are living in a moment of civilizational crisis imposed by the capitalist order, a crisis of imperialism that has especially targeted Venezuela and other nations with great force in recent years. Moreover, we are facing a time when fascism is regrouping its strength across the continent and has recently launched an intensified offensive against Venezuela. In this context, what we have been discussing in recent months is that the only viable strategy is to unify the people’s forces, reclaim ALBA as a project, and make communalization the core of our strategy. This is what has brought us together over these past few days.”

Ana Maldonado, a member of ALBA Movements, explained that the debate sessions were held at the Venezuelan School of Planning and included social movements from the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) representing 15 regions: Aragua, Amazonas, Bolívar, Capital District, La Guaira, Lara, Mérida, Miranda, Portuguesa, Táchira, Zulia, and Guárico.

Spokespersons from ALBA Movements proposed that the Bank of ALBA should develop initiatives to support organizations in various sectors to strengthen the productive development of the region.
They also discussed the need to promote dialogues between social organizations and regional authorities to foster new forms of communication and organization in close collaboration with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America.

In conclusion, the ALBA-TCP secretary emphasized that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been used as tools by right-wing forces to provide resources for destabilizing and exerting control over countries they aim to overthrow.

“This is a reality… NGOs are an instrument of war; the funds used support efforts to undermine the Revolution and promote political destabilization,” Arreaza warned, referring to the upcoming inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro on January 10.

Caracas, November 6, 2024. – A Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation was signed at the headquarters of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) this Wednesday in Caracas. This agreement, forged between Venezuela’s People’s Power Ministry for Productive Agriculture and Land and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry, and Labor, marks the inaugural cooperation under the Agroalba initiative.

ALBA’s Executive Secretary, Jorge Arreaza, extended a warm welcome to the officials, expressing that it is an honor for ALBA to launch this new phase of solidarity-driven cooperation.

“We would like to begin by expressing our deepest gratitude to President Nicolás Maduro’s government for initiating this project with a spirit of solidarity. This new Agroalba program will enable us to ensure food for our peoples and bring necessary investment to our countries to develop the agricultural and livestock sectors, especially in the Eastern Caribbean,” Arreaza stated.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, emphasized the importance of joining efforts within the ALBA-TCP platform to create synergy in agricultural investments. He highlighted the benefits of generating profitability for farmers and, above all, advancing the development of rural areas.

Agroalba aims to establish food sovereignty within the ALBA region as its primary goal. “We must have a region that is also safeguarded in terms of food security,” Gil stated.

Venezuelan Minister for Agriculture and Land, Menry Fernández, pointed out that this first agreement is a foundation for continued regional growth.

“This initial Memorandum embodies the genuine integration of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is the first step toward strengthening our unity,” he said.

Fernández further noted that Venezuela already achieves 100 percent production in certain agricultural goods, positioning the country to export food at a significant level.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Rural Transformation, Saboto Caesar, expressed his gratitude for the initiative, describing it as crucial for all ALBA member states.

“We are sowing seeds today that will yield results in the future. I encourage everyone to embrace solidarity; we must contribute food to other Latin American countries,” Caesar affirmed.

The event was also attended by Alex Saab, President of the International Center for Productive Investment (CIIP in Spanish); Camila Fabri, Venezuela’s Deputy Minister for International Communication; and Raúl Li Causi, President of the Bank of ALBA.

Caracas, November 4, 2024 – The capital of Venezuela served as the epicenter for the establishment of the Parliamentary Network of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) this Monday, within the framework of the World Parliamentary Forum against Fascism convened by the National Assembly.

The first vice president of the Venezuelan Parliament, Pedro Infante, initiated this network of deputies from the Alliance, emphasizing that this meeting is crucial for strengthening the fraternity and sovereignty of the countries in the region.

“The ALBA chapter must be fortified, especially in these times… It is essential for exchanging experiences and enhancing our capacities to combat fascism,” he stated.

The Executive Secretary of ALBA-TCP, Jorge Arreaza, affirmed that the Alliance represents the path to regional unity and the integration of peoples, highlighting the significance of this parliamentary network.

“Our leaders are urging us to prepare for a new era, where ALBA will be at the heart of an anti-fascist world. The parliamentary world is fundamental as it formulates laws and listens to the grassroots to construct this new era. We need to communicate with one another, in Spanish and English, as well as our dialects, to understand and articulate our positions, ensuring we do not move forward separately,” he warned.

Arreaza expressed gratitude to the National Assembly of Venezuela for convening the World Parliamentary Forum against Fascism, a space that enables the creation of this network.

Ana María Mari Machado, Vice President of the National Assembly of Cuba, condemned the United States’ blockade against Cuba as a genocidal policy. “This parliamentary network is something we owe to ourselves, allowing us, from our parliaments, to discuss integration and support for our foreign policies.”

Additionally, Joachim Henry, a senator from the ‘Laborista’ Party and Minister of Social Equity of Saint Lucia, emphasized the importance of the ALBA-TCP Parliamentary Network during times of sanctions and blockades. “On behalf of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, I thank you for this initiative… It will bring clarity to our peoples.”

Peter David, a member of the House of Representatives of Grenada, asserted that this network should serve as a platform to demand the lifting of the blockade against Cuba and Venezuela.

“We are also here to fight against fascism. We need solidarity to continue advancing what Fidel (Castro) and (Hugo) Chávez initiated… We have ALBA to combat fascism and to keep working towards unity… Through our parliaments, we can fight against fascism,” he added.

Rolando Enríquez Cuéllar, a deputy from Bolivia, stated that the ALBA-TCP Parliamentary Network is the result of the efforts of Commander Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro. “The unity of parliamentarians cannot be limited to speeches; we must build our revolution step by step,” he emphasized.

On the other hand, Ashelle Morgan, senator and parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, highlighted that this network can create a block of solidarity against fascism.

Similarly, Silvia Ayala, the second alternate secretary of the board of directors of the Legislative Council of Honduras, indicated that the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance are essential for confronting threats such as coups, blockades, and other assaults from national and international right-wing forces.

To conclude this session, Infante proposed the establishment of a promotional team in each ALBA country capable of laying the groundwork for creating a Parliament of the Bolivarian Alliance. The foundational proposal for this network will be presented to the National Assembly of Venezuela on Tuesday.

He also urged that each parliament of the Alliance, and every team of promoting deputies, elevate the foundational document to their parliaments to present a conclusive proposal during the 20th anniversary of ALBA-TCP on December 14.

Some of the objectives of the ALBA-TCP Parliamentary Network include combating fascism, generating coordination, cooperation, and the exchange of experiences in social, economic, cultural, health, and other areas.

In this first meeting, they agreed to strengthen relations between parliaments and encourage the formulation of norms and policies consistent with the objectives of the Bolivarian Alliance.

The Republic of Nicaragua, spanning 130,370 square kilometers, is the largest country in Central America. Noteworthy among its geographic features are its lakes, especially Nicaragua Lake, also known as Cocibolca, and Managua Lake or Xolotlán, which borders the nation’s capital.

The country is also characterized by a volcanic chain that stretches from north to south. Nicaragua is home to 50 volcanoes, seven of which remain active: San Cristóbal, Telica, Cerro Negro, El Hoyo, Momotombo, Masaya, and Concepción.

With these unique geographic features, Nicaragua has earned global recognition as the “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,” underscoring its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire, whose volcanic activity is evident across much of Latin America.

According to recent demographic data, Nicaragua has a population of 7,317,798, ranking it 106th among the world’s 196 nations, with a moderate population density of 53 inhabitants per square kilometer.

The country’s economy is primarily based on light manufacturing, services, and agriculture. In recent years, under the leadership of revolutionary commander Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua has attracted foreign direct investment, accounting for 6.7% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Central Bank of Nicaragua recently released its macroeconomic outlook, maintaining its 2024 growth projection between 3.5% and 4.5%. Positive momentum is anticipated to continue across most sectors, particularly in services.

The agency also predicts that employment levels will remain stable in 2024, with labor market imbalances from the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced workforce participation, gradually diminishing.

Independence Struggle

On September 15, 1821, Nicaragua, alongside Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, signed the Act of Independence, declaring freedom from the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala, which spanned from Costa Rica to present-day Chiapas, Mexico.

With Spain’s departure, Nicaragua and Central America initially became part of the newly formed Mexican Empire, which lasted only a few years. The nations of the isthmus then formed the Federation of Central American States, which later dissolved due to the conflicting interests of the provinces’ leaders.

On April 30, 1838, Nicaragua declared complete separation from the Central American Federation, entering history as an independent republic.

On July 19, 1979, the Sandinista Popular Revolution triumphed over the violent dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza and his family, who had held power in Nicaragua since 1934. The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN in Spanish), which led the armed struggle, upheld the ideals of national hero Augusto César Sandino, who fought against U.S. occupation in Nicaragua from 1926 to 1933.

The FSLN remains the historic vanguard of the Nicaraguan people, with its key historic leaders, represented by Commander Daniel Ortega, constructively steering the course of 21st-century Nicaragua.

On November 7, 2021, Commander Ortega was re-elected by popular vote for a fifth term, his fourth consecutive since 2007.

Nicaragua in ALBA-TCP

Nicaragua formally joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) on February 23, 2007, three years after the regional mechanism was created by then-Presidents Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and Fidel Castro of Cuba on December 14, 2004.

The neoliberal policies applied in Latin America and the Caribbean, which excluded large segments of the population from the benefits of economic growth and deepened social inequality, prompted President Daniel Ortega to support the country’s entry into this integrationist bloc.

In his view, overcoming the neoliberal model and its catastrophic effects on the region requires a “strategic alliance between the states and peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, based on principles of solidarity, cooperation, complementarity, and mutual aid, and founded on the recognition and appreciation of our identity, participatory democracy, and equitable economic development.”

For Nicaragua, joining ALBA-TCP symbolized the aspirations for independence among American nations, whose roots run deep in the history of the Americas, from Indigenous resistance to the present day. This historical journey includes figures like Tupac Amaru, Tupaj Katari, Guaicaipuro, Diriangén, and Miskut; Francisco de Miranda, Simón Bolívar, Antonio José de Sucre, Francisco de Morazán, José Martí, Eloy Alfaro Delgado, and Augusto C. Sandino. Reflecting on this legacy, the Sandinista leader once observed that “Latin America rises up, carrying forward the banners of freedom and justice passed down by those who came before us.”

This October 28, Cuba commemorates the death of revolutionary Camilo Cienfuegos, a founding leader of the Rebel Army alongside Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Raúl Castro, and Juan Almeida during the National Liberation War against the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship.

Cienfuegos, was also known as “The Commander of the People,” “The Lord of the Vanguard,” the “Hero of Yaguajay,” or “the hero with the wide-brimmed hat.”

On October 28, 1959, he lost his life in an aviation accident caused by adverse weather while returning from Camagüey to Havana.

This Monday, marking 65 years since his passing, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel honored Cienfuegos’ legacy on X, underscoring his patriotism, commitment to justice, and unwavering loyalty to the Revolution and Fidel Castro.

“#FidelForever: Camilo emerged from the people and had the opportunity to develop and amplify his extraordinary talents. But when I see our young people working on a lathe, when I see them in a lab, when I see them working 10, 12, 13, even 14 hours, I am ever more convinced that there are many Camilos within the people,” the Cuban leader wrote.

Caracas, October 27, 2024 – The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America–People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) has the potential to contribute significantly to BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in the realm of global economics, it was affirmed by Jorge Arreaza, ALBA-TCP’s Executive Secretary, this Sunday.

Speaking on Situational Analysis, a program hosted by Hinterlaces President Oscar Schémel, Arreaza emphasized that ALBA-TCP, with the support of its development institution, the Bank of ALBA, offers a framework focused on the economic needs of nations rather than economic elites. “Venezuela and Nicaragua could be valuable allies to BRICS, as we have a coalition focused on the people and on life, not solely on government agendas,” he stated.

Arreaza further highlighted that ALBA was the first alliance to embrace multipolarity, standing in opposition to imperialism within its own region. “It’s an alliance based on solidarity, complementarity, and cooperation—not competition or destructive interactions with other blocs,” he added.

The ALBA bloc, he noted, has its own currency (the Sucre) and has developed unique cooperation mechanisms, such as Petrocaribe, while building economic capacities for new initiatives.

Regarding the current geopolitical landscape, Arreaza described it as “hyper-imperialism,” dominated by military, productive, and financial power. As the first two pillars falter, he remarked, the focus of power groups is increasingly shifting toward military strength.

Beyond Politics

On Venezuela’s situation, Arreaza described the Bolivarian Revolution as more than a political process—it’s a deeply rooted spiritual movement driven by dedication and a sense of community. This spirit, he said, has helped the nation overcome twelve years of hardships brought on by external pressures and conflicts.

“We’re the only country that has endured a political, diplomatic, economic, media, commercial, and energy war. We’ve withstood what no other nation has,” he declared.

Arreaza also referenced the United States’ actions against Venezuela under former President Donald Trump, asserting that it was the historical resilience of the Venezuelan people that helped them overcome such challenges.

“President Nicolás Maduro is striving to preserve Venezuela’s historical legacy from Guaicaipuro to the present, advancing a communal government model that represents a different form of democracy,” he concluded.