The Summit’s Final Declaration released includes the ratification of ALBA’s founding principles and public statements made in the summit meetings and other events held by the group over the past five years of successful efforts.

The dignitaries of the nine ALBA member countries unanimously slammed the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba.

In addition, the document highlights the increasingly significant role of social movements in the region not only regarding their support of popular and national processes, but also the resistance to the offensive of right-wing forces led in the continent by the U.S.

The dignitaries welcomed the electoral victory of President Evo Morales in Bolivia as “an expression of the support of our peoples to progressive processes and of social transformation based on equity, social justice, sovereignty and self-determination.”

Nine ALBA member countries also expressed worries about climate change, which is becoming more and more serious in the world and creating a considerable impact on the lives of poor people in many countries.

The 8th ALBA Summit took place in Havana from December 11-14, coinciding with the inauguration of the ALBA Cultural House and celebration of the 15th anniversary of Hugo Chavez’s first visit to Cuba.