Latin America experiencing new times
BUENOS AIRES.— Latin America is today experiencing
new times which, after 10 years of work resulting in
undeniable achievements, the Bolivarian Alliance for
the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade
Agreement (ALBA-TCP) is facing the challenge of
consolidating itself, stated the organization’s
Executive Secretary Bernardo Álvarez.
 The
ALBA-TCP has the unique feature of brining together
political forces which involved in a common project
based on diversity, noted Álvarez in statements to
Prensa Latina. “In addition it understands
that there are other mechanisms of integration in
the hemisphere which play an equally important role,
such as the Union of Southern Nations and the
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States,”
he commented.
“We aspire to be a political consciousness for the
left, for the world, for progress within new Latin
American integration, with respect, but doing
everything necessary so that the transformation and
social agendas are part of debates in Latin
American. This is where the challenge lies,” stated
Álvarez, adding that, the challenge also consists
of continuing to promote and support integration
and, to be an expression of this transformative
political vision in the heart of Latin America.
The ALBA-TCP emerged as an alternative to the
traditional integration structures which existed in
the region and, 10 years later, “is today a powerful
political alliance which assumes unanimous potions
in defense of the rights of mother earth, human
rights, against interventionism and war,” and which
“evokes and works to preserve and reestablish pace
and peoples’ right to self-determination,” he
emphasized.
Another of the ALBA-TCP’s great challenges is the
creation, together with Petrocaribe and Mercosur, of
a Complementary Economic Zone, with the aim of
encouraging political and economic ties and
promoting the development of complimentary, just and
balanced trade, highlighted Álvarez, commenting
that, “So far, these 10 years have been positive and
serve as motivation to continue moving forward…to
broaden the horizons of this mechanism of
integration.” (PL)
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