HAVANA, Cuba. – The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our America – Trade Treaty of the Peoples (ALBA-TCP), reaffirmed the support to Venezuela at the closing of the 18th Political Council, attended by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

A 22-point statement, read by Cuban Chancellor Bruno Rodriguez, condemned the interventionist conduct of the United States that uses the Organization of American States and Secretary-General Luis Almagro in an interventionist policy against the homeland of Bolívar.

The text supported the Montevideo Mechanism, which Mexico, Uruguay, Bolivia and the Caribbean Community promote on Venezuela, and repudiated the Monroe Doctrine as an old reflection of the imperialist desires of the United States.

The ALBA-TCP declaration claimed the unconditional lifting of the blockade, heightened with the activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.

Next to Venezuela

It has been admirable the resistance of the Venezuelan people during this year of intense sanctions, Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez said, who reiterated that our collaborators will continue to provide services and will be with Venezuela.

At the inauguration of the Political Council of ALBA-TCP, the Chancellor assured that the return of American military interventionism will not reduce the commitment to defend our right to self-determination.

Rodriguez acknowledged that imperialist aggression has strengthened the unity and agreement of the Latin American countries; although he pointed out it is necessary to emphasize all that unites us and not underestimate the strength of the bloc.

Bruno Rodriguez called on social movements, popular, non-governmental organizations, all sectors of our peoples to exert influence on governments and oppose American interventionism.

Appetite for Resources

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza, said before the Political Council of ALBA-TCP that our continent is a territory in historical dispute for its riches and potentialities.

Arreaza explained that in the Venezuelan case that interest has become palpable in recent years, taking into account that it is the territory with the largest oil reserve in the world and an immense reserve of gas, iron, gold, diamonds, as well as an extraordinary geographical position.

It is unacceptable to the dominant, supremacist, Anti-Latin American and anti-South elite, that there is a process of independence, of sovereignty in such a rich territory, the Venezuelan Chancellor highlighted.

The Secretary General of ALBA-TCP, Bolivian David Choquehuanca, referred to the integrative movement as an element of decolonization for the flourishing of truth, justice and respect.