Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples

The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP): Dawn of an Alternative to Neoliberalism

By Jesus Rojas

The Bolivarian Alliance for the People of our America - People Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) is an integration platform for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, which places emphasis on solidarity, complementarities, justice and cooperation, and is inspired by a political orientation which claims the inalienable rights of its people and the sovereignty of its countries, and which rejects all forms of tutelage, foreign intervention and neocolonialism. It was established on December 14th, 2004 through an agreement signed between Venezuela and Cuba. 11 countries are now signatories to the treaty. The ALBA-TCP emphasizes the fight against poverty and social exclusion. It emphasizes a collaborative project and political, social and economic complementarity between countries in the region.

With the implementation of this mechanism, the idea that trade and investment should not be ends in themselves, but tools to achieve fair and sustainable development is defended. It takes into account the different levels of development, strengths and weaknesses of the participating economies, as well as the specific interests of states in protecting certain sectors. Under this framework, the ALBA-TCP gives priority to projects for mutual benefit, especially those that occur between state enterprises. Furthermore, it makes use of offsetting transactions that do not require the expenditure of foreign exchange. Arguably the main objectives of the ALBA-TCP are social development and combating poverty.

This mechanism represents an important development, not only for politics in Latin America, but also internationally. It is essential, therefore, to understand its nature: its ideology, its institutions and how it has implemented its development projects.

The ALBA-TCP arises as an alternative for the development of a Latin American revolutionary consciousness, as a counter-hegemonic project based on the ideals of complementarity, solidarity, cooperation, human dignity, and respect for social diversity. Its principles are resolutely opposed to those associated with the failed neoliberal model that emerged from the hegemonic centers, and to projects rooted to the regressive neoliberal model.

The achievements of the ALBA-TCP include the eradication of illiteracy in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, with the Cuban literacy method "Yo, Si Puedo”. (Yes, I Can). Through Mission Miracle, more than three millions of people of low-income have had their eyesight restored. Furthermore, ALBA-TCP has made it possible to give social and free medical assistance to a more than 2.480.000 people with disabilities among the states which are signatories to ALBA-TCP.

With the support of the ALBA-TCP, three power-plants have been brought into operation, which guarantee 60% of the electricity-supply in Haiti, producing hundreds of jobs. This initiative began in 2007, and in 2009 became a reality with the construction of the first plant built under the auspices of the governments of Cuba and Venezuela.

In Nicaragua with the support of ALBA-TCP, the rationing in the supply of electricity and blackouts was eliminated, thanks to the construction of power-plants. Currently in Nicaragua a refinery, “The Supreme Dream of Bolivar", a complex that will cover the 41% of demand for oil and petroleum products in Central American countries, is being built. FAO figures show that Nicaragua reached the first Millennium Development Goal, to reduce extreme poverty from 15.1% in 2001 to 9.7% in 2009.

That`s why the ALBA-TCP is more than a broad alternative framework, supported by new principles and based on a reality that has been clearly felt by the people of our America. With the implementation of the ALBA-TCP, we are cancelling the huge social debt with which capitalism has left our people.

The ALBA-TCP means independence, sovereignty and solidarity, a true strategic alliance between the states and the people of Latin America and the Caribbean.