The bloc, called the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of America – Trade Treaty Between Our Peoples, was born on December 14, 2004, under the influence of leaders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez and in the face of Washington’s hegemony and interference in the region. .
In exclusive statements to Prensa Latina, Ecuadorian interlocutor Orlando Pérez, former director of El Telegrafo, the first public newspaper in his homeland, considers among the current challenges of the group the unification of joint ventures to address the problems of the region.
Likewise, he appreciated the importance of ALBA-TCP’s increased role in the international geopolitical arena. It is necessary to express it as a more active, dynamic, powerful and stronger position in claiming the sovereignty of peoples.
Perez warned of the urgent need for more concrete action, because although the mechanism “has done enough, it is still not enough in the face of global, right-wing and fascist onslaught,” and stated that the presence of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the presidency of Brazil will be able to strengthen integration.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that this unity must be stronger on very important issues such as healthcare, education, security, environmental care and combating the effects of climate change,” said the journalist.
The researcher, who was Secretary of Communications in the Constituent Assembly in 2007 and 2008, also expressed the feasibility of plans for scientific and academic cooperation, for example, to produce immune preparations, as Cuba did during the global epidemic crisis.
regional gig
For Nicaraguan political analyst Lester Bilarte, the summits promoted by the group contribute to the adoption of political, economic and social agreements; However, ALBA-TCP requires more influence in other countries in the region.
The expert highlighted to Prensa Latina the emergence of an identity of its own in the face of the culture imposed by the big American corporations, with a marked dominance in Latin America, and the constant external pressure aimed at fragmenting the group.
For his part, Nicaraguan specialist Bolivar Tellez told Prensa Latina how the White House has designed and financed measures to neutralize any movement or strategy promoted by Cuba, Nicaragua or Venezuela, with the aim of reactivating ALBA-TCP.
Nicaraguan lawyer Oscar Borg, who holds a master’s degree in democracy, government and communications technology, also confirmed that the mechanism reached its 22nd summit, which was held at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, “with experience and a long way to go.”
The regions that make up it “have gone through various processes of resistance, attempted coups, and destabilization due to external and internal factors, economic impact and the epidemiological crisis resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
He warned that a point of convergence between the founding scenario and the present is the arrival of various left-wing forces to power, and indicated that it is “a moment of opportunity, cohesion and expansion of its members and influence.”
“The ALBA-TCP experience charts the path of regional integration in Latin America and from this meeting, certainly, it came out strong and with political lines linked to the unity of the region, beyond the increase in trade relations,” he said.
In his opinion, it is the last bastion of resistance of the peoples of Latin America, with an authentic model of solidarity and cooperation, based on respect and equality, a constructive vision, and defense of the principle of self-determination.
“The big difference with other regional blocs is ethical, except perhaps SICA, because they have one commercial component, very different from ALBA, which includes political, and therefore ideological, components that seek cooperative relations, not markets free from customs controls.”
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