Maduro Claims Latin America is Battleground Against U.S. Influence at ALBA-TCP Summit
At the XIII Extraordinary Summit of ALBA-TCP, President Nicolas Maduro declared that Latin America and the Caribbean are battlegrounds between progressive forces and “the dark, reactionary projects of the U.S. empire,” reports 24brussels.
Maduro characterized ALBA-TCP as “a permanent pulse,” emphasizing the alliance’s continuous cooperation among member governments. He highlighted the alliance as a means to foster peace, combat inequality, and tackle the climate emergency, despite the summit’s virtual format.
During the summit, Maduro introduced concrete initiatives concerning migration, food sovereignty, and regional infrastructure. He announced a dedicated fund within the ALBA Bank aimed at supporting the safe return and reintegration of migrants, underscoring the importance of respecting their human rights.
The Venezuelan president condemned a “corrupt clique” of opposition figures, including Juan Guaido and Leopoldo Lopez, alleging their support from USAID aims to undermine national sovereignty. He also stated ALBA-TCP is moving forward with plans to enhance regional self-sufficiency by jointly acquiring refrigerated ships and cargo aircraft to facilitate food and humanitarian aid transport.
In a pointed remark, Maduro recalled past conflicts with external powers, stating, “We recovered what was stolen from us: the ALBA airplane was destroyed.” He further noted plans for airline integration, the formation of a regional fishing fleet, and the launch of the “Alba Azul” sustainable aquaculture initiative led by Minister Juan Carlos Loyo.
Additionally, he proposed hosting AgroALBA fairs in member nations such as Nicaragua, Cuba, and Bolivia to foster investment in food production.
In the domain of science and technology, Maduro announced the establishment of an intra-ALBA Research and Application Center for Artificial Intelligence. He called for a meeting of ministers from various sectors to devise action plans pertaining to migration, food systems, transport, and technological innovation in March, although he did not specify budgets or timelines.
“We must remove obstacles and turn agreements into reality,” Maduro concluded, issuing a call to “shield the region from external attacks.”
