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May nothing, no one, derail our
progress toward integration
Cuban President Army General Raúl Castro Ruz opened
the XIII Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the
Peoples of Our America-People's Trade Agreement
(Alba-TCP), this morning December 14, and called for
strengthening regional unity.
 Cuban
President Army General Raúl Castro Ruz formally
inaugurated the XII Alba-TCP Summit on the tenth
anniversary of the foundation of this mechanism of
regional integration.
The Cuban leader recalled in his remarks that,
exactly 10 years ago, the alternative alliance was
founded, as a result of the political work and
commitment to integration of Comandantes Hugo Chávez
Frías and Fidel Castro Ruz, who led the way to the
era of change today being constructed by our peoples
and their vanguard leadership.
Raúl recalled that, at that time, the U.S. invented
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) had not yet
been buried, but had generated resistance, while
revolutionary and progressive governments were
emerging, intent upon fulfilling the dream of Latin
American independence forbearers.
The Cuban President referred to the first historic
meeting, 20 years ago, between Fidel and Chávez,
which was also the beginning of a great friendship
based on shared ideas and goals, which has had a
strong impact in the region, and on liberation
efforts.
The foundation of Alba, which would later include a
trade agreement, also emerged, Raúl said, as a
result of the friendship between Venezuela and Cuba,
and the solidarity between the two peoples, based on
principles of complementarity, as reflected in the
joint declaration made in December of 2004.
The subsequent adhesion of Nicaragua, Bolivia and
Ecuador, and the incorporation of Dominica, Antigua
and Barbuda, and St. Lucia, which enriched the
alliance with a unique Caribbean perspective, led to
the consolidation of Alba's integrationist
framework, and broadened its projections, he said,
while additionally highlighting the incorporation of
Grenada and St, Kitts and Nevis, to take place
during the Summit.
Addressing Alba's accomplishments, which he
described as undeniable, Raúl affirmed that the
alliance has been a pillar of independence and
sovereignty of the peoples who are coming together,
and has become a platform from which audacious
common positions are being established, emphasizing,
"Our voice is heard and recognized throughout the
world, always in defense of the most just causes."
Among the bloc's achievements over these past 10
years, the Cuban President cited the three million
persons who have regained their sight thanks to
Operation Miracle; the million disabled who have
been diagnosed and treated during nationwide genetic
and psycho-social studies; and five million who have
learned to read and write via the "Yes, I Can"
literacy program.
Likewise, he recalled that more than 23,000 doctors
have been trained as result of this collaboration,
and notable accomplishments have been registered in
the fields of sports and culture.
Raúl described the Unified System of Regional
Compensation, SUCRE, and the Alba Bank, as the
alliance's principal contribution to the creation of
a new financial structure in the region, and noted
that work is underway on a complementary zone of
Alba-Petrocaribe-Mercosur.
In his remarks, Raúl also emphasized Venezuela's
solidarity and support, and condemned U.S. attempts
to impose sanctions on this sister country, which
will have no effect on the Bolivarian Republic's
commitment to continue moving forward, despite the
efforts of powerful internal and external forces
conspiring to destabilize the country, to derail the
process of change, and defeat the peoples.
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