RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Friday, May 27, the countries belonging to the Alba bloc (Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas) condemned the exclusion of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from the Summit of the Americas, to be held from June 6 to 10, in Los Angeles, United States.
Alba is formed by Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. The leaders of the nations met in Havana, Cuba, on Friday. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, they said they reject “the arbitrary, ideological, and politically motivated exclusion” of the countries.
“This unilateral decision constitutes a serious historical setback in hemispheric relations that offends the Latin American and Caribbean peoples,” the statement read.
As host of the event, the United States decides who it invites to the meeting. Joe Biden’s administration said the three countries would not be invited because they “do not respect” democratic principles.
The Summit of the Americas is expected to discuss the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery, obstacles to value and supply chains, food security, and investment. There will be a separate statement on immigration.
On Thursday, May 26, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty) confirmed that President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) would meet Biden at the event. It will be the first meeting with the US president since the beginning of his term in 2021.
According to Bolsonaro, the meeting will “reset” Brazil and US relations. “Governments are transient, but countries are eternal. There is interest from him [Joe Biden] to talk to us. We have a good relationship with all countries,” he said.
With information from Poder360
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