Bolivar's, Marti's Integration Ideals Revived in Havana
Venezuela and Cuba also signed a declaration denouncing the US-sponsored Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) as the
"most exact depiction of the Empire´s domination appetite over Latin America and the Caribbean."
16.12.2004 [PL/Havana] The Latin American integration ideals of Simon Bolivar and Jose Marti were revived in Havana
after Venezuelan and Cuban presidents, Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro, signed a joint declaration supporting the
Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA).
Venezuela and Cuba also signed a declaration denouncing the US-sponsored Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) as the
"most exact depiction of the Empire´s domination appetite over Latin America and the Caribbean."
The agreement signed here Tuesday modifies and strengthen the comprehensive bilateral cooperation agreement inked by the
two nations in October 2000.
Caracas and Havana are working on a strategic plan to guarantee the most productive beneficial complementation, backed
by actual solidarity from both people. Both nations promised to work together with other countries from the region to
eliminate illiteracy in Latin America. They are also ready to cooperate in health care programs in the continent.
Venezuela and Cuba decided to eliminate trade barriers and tax obstacles, provide incentives for investment, increase
banking relations and other types of bilateral cooperation.