Caracas, September 10, 2024.- The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) is ready to join efforts to promote the Great Productive Project of more than 10,000 hectares at ‘La Vergareña’ ranch, in Bolívar state, Venezuela, in collaboration with the experience of Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST in Spanish).

During his program ‘Con Maduro +’, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, encouraged the integration of the successful experience of Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) with the project and concept of conuco (small-scale traditional farming). The goal is to develop the first 10,000 hectares and, in the medium term, 100,000 hectares of productive land to grow food for the people of Venezuela and those in need across Latin America.

The President stated, “In Venezuela, the Landless Workers’ Movement of Brazil is now called the Landed Movement. It’s a difference—here they have land and support.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, Jorge Arreaza, stated: “From ALBA, President, we join this Patria Grande project alongside the peasants of our continent, who will be proud to be part of this beautiful experience that begins in the state named after the Liberator Simón Bolívar, with his alliance, the alliance of Simón Bolívar.”

Arreaza mentioned that he accompanied members of Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement on a tour of the ranch and explained that the land was once owned by the Rockefeller family.

“We are here, President, with comrades from the Landless Workers’ Movement in Brazil, and here (in Venezuela) with land. They will report on this visit (…) Wonderful lands managed by Agrofanb, which is doing a wonderful job,” Arreaza stated.

He also said that the Landless Workers’ Movement, along with the leaders of the Brazilian government at the time, “which is different from today’s government,” always dreamed that on Venezuelan and Brazilian soil “we could produce food for our people, food for the Global South, and food for those who need it most.”

Simone Magalhães, a leader of Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement, praised President Nicolás Maduro’s policies aimed at boosting production in Venezuela and promoting the well-being of the entire region.

Caracas, September 4, 2024.- During a working meeting in Caracas, ambassadors of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) emphasized the importance of unity and resilience in the face of political and economic challenges in the region. 

The meeting served as a space to reaffirm solidarity among member nations and friendly countries, where some speeches highlighted the urgency of standing firm against political and economic adversities.

Cuban Ambassador, Dagoberto Rodríguez, emphasized the shared responsibility in building a better future for the region. “It is our responsibility as a country and as a people to respond in this difficult time that our region and the world are experiencing,” Rodríguez said.

Additionally, Bolivian Ambassador, Sebastian Michel, called for resilience. ‘We are going to face hard times, dark moments, but united, we will succeed,’ he assured.

The diplomat highlighted that adversity has been a constant in the history of the region’s countries and stressed the need to maintain a positive mindset to overcome present and future challenges.

Similarly, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ambassador, Gareth Bynoe, recalled the principles of solidarity upon which the Alliance is founded. ‘We must remember the principles on which our alliance is based, especially solidarity,’ Bynoe declared. He also mentioned the economic sanctions imposed on several countries in the region and the critical situation in Palestine.

Palestinian Ambassador, Fadi Alzaben, representing the invited country, addressed the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, describing it as an example of imperial domination projects against various regions of the planet. 

“Israel has turned the Gaza Strip into a cemetery of children, and all of this is the result of the complicit silence of the international community,’ Alzaben denounced The diplomat also highlighted the severity of the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where violence has led to the deaths of thousands of people and the massive destruction of infrastructure.

Mexican Ambassador, Leopoldo De Gyvés, expressed his country’s commitment to the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s stance in favor of peace, sovereignty, and progress.

Regarding the arrival of Claudia Sheinbaum, he emphasized the intention to deepen relations with nations such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, and the importance of working for welfare and justice in a context of imperialist aggressions.

The diplomats also discussed the AgroALBA initiative, a proposal put forward by Venezuelan authorities to boost non-oil exports through greater integration of the public and private sectors of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Patricia Villegas, president of Telesur, a communication platform serving the people and defending the truth, also participated in the meeting.

Caracas, August 26, 2024.- The faces of Simón Bolívar, Ezequiel Zamora, Túpac Katari, Hugo Chávez, Augusto Sandino, Edward LeBlanc, Sir Vere Bird, Fidel Castro, Joseph Chatoyer, Robert Bradshaw, Maurice Bishop, and George Charles grace the ‘Leaders of ALBA’ painting exhibition, inaugurated this Monday at the headquarters of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) in Caracas.

The exhibition was presented to the public by the Executive Secretary of the multilateral organization, Jorge Arreaza, accompanied by members of the Alliance’s social movements.

“Leaders of ALBA” is a tribute to anti-colonialist leaders from the countries of our Alliance, aimed at highlighting figures who have shaped our identity and woven the bonds of Latin American and Caribbean unity through shared struggles across the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries,” the exhibition description reads.
Jorge Arreaza mentioned that the exhibit is filled with art, “which is the most sensitive expression of our humanity… Here, we can see the faces of leaders who continue to awaken consciousness and who were crucial in the independence of their countries”.

Through the innovative perspective of emerging artist Andrea Britto, each portrait becomes a window into the essence of figures whose influence continues to shape the political and social landscape. Each digital illustration is not merely an artistic representation but a profound statement of love and respect for these leaders and their legacies.

The exhibition aims to commemorate these great leaders while offering a reflection on how their struggles and visions have contributed to the construction of a common identity among the ALBA-TCP member countries.

The artist invites viewers to reinterpret their legacy with a fresh and dynamic perspective, echoing the enduring relevance of their ideals in the modern world.

Each illustration is a dialogue between the past and the present, where meticulously crafted details and vibrant colors reflect the indomitable spirit of these leaders.

Caracas, August 26, 2024 – Communication, education, training, and concrete action brigades were the main proposals that emerged from the preparatory meeting of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) Social Movements Council.

This was stated on Monday by the Executive Secretary of the Alliance at the close of this meeting, held with participants from over 27 countries at the ALBA headquarters in Caracas.

Reflecting the feelings of the participants in the meeting, Jorge Arreaza explained that the brigades will be responsible for carrying out concrete tasks on various global political issues.

Additionally, he detailed that the social movements will need to develop public policies to propose to the presidents and governments of the member countries.

Finally, the Executive Secretary announced that Monday’s meeting is part of the initial steps of the Council and that on December 14, in Havana, Cuba, during the summit to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Bolivarian Alliance and the 30th anniversary of the first meeting between Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, the Council of social movements will be formally established.

Caracas, August 26, 2024. — A preparatory meeting of the ALBA-TCP Social Movements Council was held this Monday in Caracas, Venezuela.

The Alliance’s Executive Secretary, Jorge Arreaza, noted that this council is beginning to strengthen its foundations, with the goal of creating an action agenda to be presented to the presidents and governments of the ALBA member states.

It is expected that on December 14, in Havana, Cuba, during the summit to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bolivarian Alliance and the 30th anniversary of the first meeting between Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, the Social Movements Council will be formally established, Arreaza detailed.

“More than just a structure, what is important (about the Social Movements Council) is the method and how social movements are empowered through their connection with ALBA, how you find in ALBA, in the ALBA membership and in the ALBA Social Movements Council, a platform to advance the movements themselves, their causes, and their capacities,” emphasized the Executive Secretary.

“We need to build the virtuous formula because it’s not about just going out today and saying we’ve created the Social Movements Council. No, this will be a longer process”, he added.
Jorge Arreaza detailed that the social movements of the Alliance are being called to engage in discussion and debate for feedback.

The structure must be useful, functional, and directly rooted in the causes and territories.
“We need to think and talk about major issues, as well as articulate actions that express pain and protest against the genocide in Palestine or any other situation in other countries,” he concluded.

Driving the revolutionary spirit

On the other hand, Carlos Ron, president of the Simón Bolívar Institute, emphasized: ‘ALBA calls us to that truly revolutionary spirit, where we can combine something that only happens in a space with a political conviction and a vision like that of ALBA, which is that combination of political will on the part of governments to act and transformation through popular organization.’

Ron called on the social movements of the multilateral organization to organize and share experiences, as well as to promote Bolivarian and revolutionary education and knowledge.

The members from over 27 countries who attended this meeting proposed holding anti-fascist meetings and strengthening exchanges of public policies.

Caracas, August 26, 2024 – The Ambassador of the Republic of Honduras accredited to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Scarleth Romero, affirmed this Monday at the 11th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) that her country will always defend the processes unique to each nation.

“I am grateful for the special invitation today to the great homeland of Bolívar and Morazán. Today, I am granted the opportunity to be here as the ambassador and representative of the people and government of Honduras in front of the people and government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and on this occasion at this extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government of ALBA. We reaffirm our commitment to always strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity with the worthy and heroic brotherly peoples,” the diplomat expressed.

Present at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, where the summit was held via videoconference, Romero recalled that Honduras, like the Alliance, defends the principles and practices of International Law, as well as human solidarity, respect for the self-determination of peoples, non-intervention, and the strengthening of peace and universal democracy.

“We will not be tired of repeating and infinitely thanking the support of the brotherly member countries of ALBA, who, in the darkest moments when imperialist forces united to overthrow and shatter our Constitution in Honduras, brave men like our dear and always remembered friend and comrade Hugo Chávez Frías defended democracy at all costs, demanded an end to the plundering and killings, and firmly promoted the restoration of the rule of law in our country,” she recalled.

She added: “Now we are here again as observers and guests of ALBA, an association of countries we care about. We can only make it clear that from the Republic of Honduras, we advocate for and will always defend the self-determination of peoples, which is necessary to advance in the construction of democracies.”

Romero stated that Honduras knows and recognizes the democratic processes that the Venezuelan people have carried out in recent years, “a country that has had, if I am not mistaken, President Maduro, more than 30 elections in less than 25 years, including the electoral process of July 28.”

On behalf of the Government of Honduras, Romero congratulated the constitutionally elected President, Nicolás Maduro, “to whom we wish the greatest success in continuing to build and lead the ongoing processes of change in favor of each and every Venezuelan”.

Caracas, August 26, 2024 – During the 11th Extraordinary Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, speaking on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia, reiterated their complete satisfaction with all the processes surrounding Nicolás Maduro’s re-election as the constitutional President of Venezuela.

Through an online meeting, the Caribbean leader recalled that these six island nations, two days after Maduro’s re-election on July 28, issued a joint statement congratulating him on his electoral victory and also expressed their support for the Summit’s declaration.

He pointed out that in Venezuela, legal institutions such as the National Electoral Council (CNE in Spanish) and the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ in Spanish) determined the validity of President Maduro’s victory, which was also supported by international observers, including those from the Caribbean and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

“All of this would normally satisfy any objective and rational group of people or States, and international law would support what has been done in Venezuela through legal and constitutional authorities. However, not everyone is rational and unbiased, and the fact is that, throughout the history of this hemisphere, the United States (USA) has consistently behaved in ways that are inconsistent with its declared principles, the very principles upon which their own republic is founded,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Gonsalves asserted that in the case of Venezuela, there is a faction in the United States that is interested in seizing its resources, such as oil, and “this has happened not only in Venezuela but throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.”

He emphasized that the United States “has no moral authority to teach us anything about elections or to speak about how leaders should be chosen by the people.”

“The United States has repeatedly intervened in the internal affairs of Latin America and the Caribbean, but not in favor of the people, rather for the interests of the dominant classes in their own country,” he stated, mentioning specific examples of their interference in the internal affairs of Guatemala, Cuba, Chile, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Honduras, and Bolivia

Caracas, August 26, 2024. – The President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, denounced the ongoing smear campaign against the government of President Nicolás Maduro, which, in his opinion, disguises coup attempts and seeks to invalidate the electoral results.

“At this moment, once again, our conscience and solidarity call upon us, because I believe we share this idea and we are aware of the great danger facing the unifying project represented by this Alliance,” the Cuban president stated during the 11th ALBA-TCP Extraordinary Summit.

Díaz-Canel criticized opposition sectors that have challenged the electoral results through violent and extremist positions.

He stated that these attempts at destabilization, supported by foreign interference, aim to undermine the legitimacy of the Venezuelan government and the country’s sovereignty.

The Cuban president highlighted the decision of Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ in Spanish), which appraised Maduro’s victory in the July 28 elections.

“The will of the majority must be respected. The Venezuelan people voted with full awareness in favor of dignity, sovereignty, and peace,” he emphasized.

Finally, Díaz-Canel reaffirmed the region’s commitment to solidarity and unity. He recalled the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace adopted in 2014 in Havana, and warned that no imperial force or entity funded by its hegemony will be able to reverse progress in social justice and emancipation.

“It is not the first time they have tried to stop political processes contrary to their interests, but today, more than ever, we must defend our sovereignty and our rights,” he concluded.