ALBA-TCP Summit Expresses Respect for Legacy of Fidel and Chavez

The ambassador from Saint Kitts and Nevis before the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Michael Powell, on Friday expressed his respect for the legacy of the leaders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez for the creation of the ALBA-TCP 14 years ago. ''I pay tribute to the visionaries Fidel and Chavez for conceiving the idea of ALBA, which today is a beacon of unity and hope,'' Powell said in his speech at the 16th Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of Our Americas-People''s Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP), being held at the Cubanacan Protocol Hall in Havana.

Speaking before top representatives of the member countries of the regional bloc, the representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis called to strengthen unity in Latin America to meet the challenges and threats in the region.

He expressed his country's wish to continue as a member of the alliance to boost initiatives and to continue to contribute to the sustainable development of the Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Previously, Powell apologized for the absence of Prime Minister Timothy Harris and his country's foreign minister due to work reasons.

Powell concluded his speech with cheers to ALBA and its member countries, mainly the founders Cuba and Venezuela.

With the goal of defending regional peace and consolidating Latin America and Caribbean integration, the 16th ALBA-TCP Summit is being held in a geopolitical context characterized by growing aggressiveness by the United States and its right-wing allies against the progressive governments of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, mainly.