Special declarations from
the ALBA-TCP Political Council
• On Cuba’s participation in the 6th Summit of the
Americas and in rejection of the blockade

SPECIAL Declaration of the 8th (Extraordinary) Meeting of the Political Council of ALBA-TCP (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Trade Treaty of the Peoples) on Cuba’s participation in the 6th Summit of the Americas, and its rejection of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on this country by the government of the United States.

The Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP), having held its 8th Extraordinary Meeting;

Fulfilling a mandate from the 11th ALBA-TCP Summit, held in Caracas, February 4-5, 2012, in virtue of which the heads of state and government decided to convene the present meeting;

Taking into consideration and giving continuity to discussions and pronouncements made during the abovementioned Caracas Summit on the participation of Cuba in the 6th Summit of the Americas, to take place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, April 14-15, 2012;

Recalling the positions assumed by the delegations of our countries in the 5th Summit of the Americas, held in Trinidad and Tobago in April of 2009, during which a clear rejection of the exclusion of Cuba from these events was expressed, as well as condemnation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade implemented against this country by successive administrations;

Recalling, moreover, the Declaration issued by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Summit (CELAC), held in Caracas, December 2-3, 2011, in which all the nations of Our America expressed their energetic rejection of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States.

Also recalling the 20 resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, which have demanded that the government of the United States of America end the economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba.

Considering the fact that the promises of change formulated by the President of the United States in that Summit, three years ago now, have not been translated into concrete acts, ignoring the unanimous demand of our region;

Considering, moreover, recent statements issued by spokespersons and representatives of the government of the United States, reiterating the refusal of this administration to accept the participation of Cuba in the Cartagena de Indias Summit;

Convinced that transformations and the process of integration taking place in the region, consolidated by the constitution of CELAC, demonstrate that Latin America and the Caribbean is not experiencing an era of change but a change of era;

Aware of the fact that Colombia has initiated a consultation process concerning the participation of Cuba in the 6th Summit of the Americas;

Have decided:

1. To reaffirm the demand that the United States end its implementation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba and that it initiate a process of respectful dialogue with this country, based on respect for its sovereignty and the inalienable right of the Cuban people to their self-determination.

2. To reject statements issued by spokespersons and representatives of the United States against the participation of Cuba in the 6th Summit of the Americas, in an attempt to perpetuate its anti-Cuba policy.

3. To unequivocally demand, during the 6th Summit of the Americas, the end of this policy and the lifting of the blockade of Cuba, given the persistent opposition of the government of the United States to the presence of Cuba in this forum.

4. To support the full participation of the sister Republic of Cuba in this Summit, a right which cannot be infringed or subjected to conditions in violation of its sovereignty.

5. To state the expectation that issues included on the agenda and those proposed for inclusion may be considered in a substantive manner which would endure the satisfactory outcome of the Summit.

6. To continue closely observing the development and results of the consultation process currently underway.

7. To call upon the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean to renew the demand insisting on an end to this irrational policy, as was the case in the 5th Trinidad and Tobago Hemispheric Summit.

On the colonial situation of the Malvinas Islands

Special Declaration of the 8th (Extraordinary) Meeting of the ALBA-TCP Political Council on the colonial situation of the Malvinas Islands.

The Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP), having held in Havana its 8th Extraordinary Meeting;

Fulfilling a mandate from the 11th ALBA-TCP Summit, held in Caracas February 4–5, 2012, in virtue of which the heads of state and government decided to convene the present meeting;

Recalling resolutions on this issue adopted over the years by the United Nations Organization (UN);

Taking into consideration the agreements adopted in the abovementioned Caracas Summit, reiterates its firmest support for the legitimate reclamation of the Republic of Argentina to the right of its sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich and the surrounding maritime areas.