March 14, 2007
Venezuela bolsters Latin American integration

(Ven-Global News) - "Official visits paid by the President of the Bolívarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, included Argentina, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Jamaica and Haiti. He primarily aimed at consolidating the union of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Argentina

The Republic of Argentina was the first stop of the Official Visits paid by the President of the Bolívarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, to five Latin American and Caribbean countries in order to consolidate the integration, solidarity and unity ties with the peoples of the continent.

This first Official Visit was paid after the President of Argentina, Néstor Kirchner, extended an invitation in February in order to review the 17 cooperation agreements endorsed between Venezuela and Argentina in the Orinoco Oil Belt, and signed 11 new cooperation instruments in the agricultural, industrial and energy fields.

The two heads of State inked an Energy Treaty in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in order to create the Organization of Gas Producing and Exporting Countries (Opegasur), a new project of regional energy integration.

Likewise, they signed agreements to create Joint Ventures to manufacture gas motors and devises to turn gasoline motors into gas motors for vehicles. These projects will be undertaken by Tomasetto Achille and Petroleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa).

Venezuelan state-owned oil company, Pdvsa, also agreed on creating Joint Ventures to manufacture buses using gas as fuel and to produce natural gas parts for vehicles.

Both presidents also signed an agreement accepting Bolivia's incorporation into the Bank of the South.

The agroindustrial issue was also tackled by the Venezuelan and Argentinean presidents and was incorporated in several documents. One of them provides for the extension of four research centers to produce potatoes and the construction of two animal reproductive technology laboratories in Venezuela

The President of the Argentinean Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA), Carlos Cheppi, and the Governor of Venezuela's Bolívar state, Francisco Rangel Gómez, endorsed an Agreement of Scientific and Technological Cooperation in the agricultural field.

In addition, Venezuela's PDV Agrícola and Argentina's Grobo Group signed a Trade Agreement for agricultural development in Venezuela and a letter of intention to develop a Genetic Center to improve cattle.

During the visit of President Hugo Chávez Frías to Argentina , a mass rally was held at the stadium Club Ferrocarril Oeste, Buenos Aires, where around 40,000 people participated to welcome the Venezuelan revolutionary leader and reject the presence of the U.S. president, George W. Bush, in Latin American soil.

At this rally, President Chávez denied remarks made by some sectors stating that he and President Kirchner planned to boycott George W. Bush's tour in South America.

He urged the U.S. president to prove with facts that he really wants social justice. 'If you want social justice in the world, prove it. Don't say it. Prove it. Order immediately the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and channel the huge U.S. military budget to fight against hunger and death.'

Thousands young people, adults and members of social organizations such as Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, who organized the rally, gathered together to receive President Chávez.

Finally, Chávez pointed out: 'If he (George W. Bush) really wants to cooperate with us in the fight against inequalities, misery and poverty, let's start with the elimination of free market policies, and let's proceed to condone the external debt, whose original total amount has been paid over three times by the Latin American people.'

Bolivia

After visiting Argentina, the Venezuelan president arrived on March 10, in the Republic of Bolivia, where he visited the populations affected by pouring rain causing floods and material and human losses.

In Trinidad city, Department of Beni, he expressed Venezuela's solidarity with the Bolivian brothers and sisters, victims of 'El Niño.'

'We are here to share the love we feel towards Bolivia (...) We are here to seal on this land the commitment to work together in order to recover Beni, the indigenous people and the peasants of this land because. We have a big commitment,' said President Chávez.

Likewise, he attended an event called 'Solidarity with the Peoples of the Big Homeland,' where over 3,000 people participated, including members of Bolivia's indigenous movements, social and progressive groups, who showed their support for the leader of the Bolívarian Revolution.

At this event, the President ratified that the Bolívarian Alternative for America (ALBA) is one of the integration mechanisms that must be used to consolidate the Socialism of the XXI Century.

Telesur, the Bank of the South, Petrosur and the next declaration of Bolivia as a free-illiteracy territory are some of the results obtained by the ALBA and the joint work carried out by Bolivia and Venezuela.

Then, the Venezuelan and Bolivian governments endorsed four Integration Agreements, standing out Bolivia's incorporation into the Bank of the South.

These agreements were signed during an event called 'Solidarity and Integration Meeting among the Peoples,' held at the Bolivia's Air Force Coliseum.

Both presidents also endorsed the Joint Declaration to Consolidate the Bolívarian Alternative for America and the People's Cooperation Treaty.

In addition, they inked an agreement inviting to the Congress of Original Governments and Peoples to be held in the Department of Cochabamba, Bolivia, as well as an agreement to create the Organization of Gas Exporting and Producing Countries (Opegasur), President Chávez's initiative to achieve a greater cooperation among South American nations.

The Venezuelan president also called on to increase the political awareness of social groups' members faced with the imperial plans of destabilization undertaken in the region through the increase of the number of CIA agents.

Nicaragua

President Chávez arrived in Nicaragua on March 11 in the afternoon. He immediately visited Catedral de León, located in León city, 100 km. west from Managua, Nicaragua's capital city. There, he placed some flowers in front of the remains of Nicaraguan poet Rubén Dario.

The Venezuelan president was received by hundreds of his followers, who crowded the streets of the city and shouted in favor of the integrating process of the peoples of the America.

Likewise, at Suitiaba Square, León city, a social meeting was held with the participation of Presidents Hugo Chávez and Daniel Ortega in order to strengthen the bilateral relations between Nicaragua and Venezuela

Tomás Borges, founding member of the FSLN (Sandinist Front of National Liberation), gave the Cultural Independence Order 'Rubén Darío' to President Chávez for his work in the defense of the Latin American and Caribbean cultures.

At the meeting, President Chávez called on all the peoples and heads of States to recover the awareness that they are the same Central American and South American nation in order to march together towards the creation of a big economic, social and political body allowing for the true unity, which is the only way to achieve freedom.

In addition, this mass event was suitable for the presidents to endorse a Memorandum of Understanding to build a Venezuelan refinery in the Department of Leon with a US $ 2.5 billion investment.

The Nicaraguan head of State also signed the Adhesion Agreement of Nicaragua to the Bank of the South, as well as the document that makes formal Nicaragua's incorporation into Telesur.

On the other hand, President Chávez committed to collaborate with Nicaragua and reiterated his intention to install in this Central American country an aluminum-processing plant, as well as provide help to overcome the Nicaragua's energy deficit.

Finally, the Venezuelan revolutionary leader highlighted the need of unity among peoples in order to face the threat of market capitalism as he pointed out that 'it is about building a single project that could complement and result in one project.'

Jamaica

After visiting Argentina, Bolivia and Nicaragua, President Chávez arrived in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Monday 12 in order to strengthen the relations between these two Caribbean countries.

Within the framework of Petrocaribe, Venezuela and Jamaica endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding the gas industry in Jamaica so that this island can generate electricity and reduce its costs in the production of energy.

In addition, this agreement can help the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to enlarge its structure so that it can administrate and provide this fuel. The agreement also includes the support of alumina production as an industrial and commercial activity to make it become a primary activity in island.

Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa) will provide its knowledge in gas and electricity fields. More than 2.5 million tons of Venezuelan compressed gas are expected to be supplied to the island.

Jamaica visit followed the same way of integration and establishments of new energy agreements proposed by Venezuela to South American and Caribbean countries, with special emphasis in gas development and infrastructure for its progress.

The launch of Opegasur will also contribute to the rational use of energy resources, the region prosperity and the environment protection.

The Head of State, Hugo Chávez, stated that Caracas is willing to supply the gas portion that Jamaica needs to expand the bauxite company. Gas needs for development are calculated over 150 million cubic feet.

Likewise, President Chávez invited the Jamaican government to go beyond the existing bilateral mechanisms: 'We invite you to continue strengthening and enlarging a new union space.'

This is the reason why ALBA has been proposed. It is integrated by Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, San Vincent and the Grenadines. This initiative is still opened to other Caribbean countries, including Jamaica.

Haiti

The presidential period ended in Haiti. This country has historical links with Venezuela because, on March 12, 1806, General Francisco Miranda pronounced in Jacmel city the independence oath and hoisted, for the first time, the current Venezuelan flag design.

Simón Bolívar was given the support of this Caribbean island which warmly received him in 1816 when he organized the Expedición de los Cayos (Island Expedition).

During his visit to Port of Prince, held on Monday 12, Chávez visited Soupiske Boulevard. Two moths ago, this boulevard was immersed in rubbish and, thanks to the actions of Simón Bolívar International Brigade (group of Venezuelan collaborators staying in Haiti since January), it has another face.

During the visit, Hugo Chávez stopped, got down the presidential caravan and started running with the Haitian people (almost a kilometer). He received greetings, kisses, hugs and a solid support.

Afterwards, he went to the Venezuelan Embassy in Haiti, together with his counterpart René Préval, to greet and congratulate the soldiers of the International Brigade.

Both Presidents were given an explanation about the works they did in the boulevard, the Municipal Market and the rubbish dump, Truiter.

Likewise, a press conference was held Tuesday 13 in the Government Palace of Haiti. René Préval informed about the results of the meeting with the Venezuelan President and the Cuban Vice president, Esteban Lazo, including the endorsement of some cooperation agreements.

President Chávez thanked Haitian people because of the welcome full of passion and frenzy he was given when he arrived in Haiti. 'What a lovely people, René, specially the young people. What a huge and overwhelmed passion; what a huge love, what a hope, what a huge faith.' He said.

The creation of monetary fund (full of dollars) is also included in the agreements inked. It is aimed at buying equipments, building houses and helping Cuban collaborators who are working in Haiti.

Préval referred to a treaty intended to improve Haiti energy conditions. The construction of a 30-magawatts central and two 15-megawatts energy plants -working with fuel oil- is included within the measures to improve this situation. Another 40-megawatts plant will be settled in Port-of-Prince to increase the energy capacity to 100 megawatts.

The Haitian Head of State informed that they will receive US $ 57 million to improve the airport capacity of this country to boost tourism in the Island.

Haiti receives 7,000 barrels of gas oil and fuel, however, Petrocaribe agreement is intended to increase this amount up to 14,000 daily barrels, Préval stated.

During the press conference, the Cuban Vice president, Esteban Lazo, pointed out that Haiti will not pay anything for the help and cooperation received. It is all about brotherhood, humanity and solidarity with a country that has suffered a lot.

Finally, the Official Tour of President Chávez ended up. Solidarity, integration and ALBA's consolidation were present as a tool aimed at achieving the real liberation and union of South American countries.

President Chávez arrived in Caracas and compared his international tour with Bush's during his radio program No 274. 'While people go to streets and protest against the presence of the imperial President during his tour, they receive us with love, garlands, flowers, songs, shouts and joy', he said".