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ALBA heads of state and government attending the summit in Caracas

by Caribbean News Now contributor

CARACAS, Venezuela -- The Commonwealth Caribbean countries of Antigua-Barbuda, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines are among ALBA members that have agreed to block any ships flying the Falkland Islands flag from docking in their ports.

At the 11th summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our Americas (ALBA), made up of Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Ecuador and St Vincent and the Grenadines, participating heads of state and government on Saturday approved a special agreement to back Argentina's call for the restoration of the British Overseas Territory claimed by Argentina as Las Malvinas to Argentinean sovereignty.

President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, said, "It is time for Latin America to decide sanctions against this mistaken power that pretends to be imperialist and colonialist in the 21st century. I think we have to apply more forceful things. We have to talk about sanctions."

Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, said, "If it should occur to the British empire to attack Argentina militarily, Argentina won't be alone this time. Venezuela is no power, but we've got some weapons and the will to face any imperialist aggression."

Tensions have risen over the Falklands as the 30th anniversary of Argentina's 1982 invasion nears. Celebrations are planned in the UK for the anniversary of the Falklands War starting from May 20.

Britain has recently sent to the area HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer armed with enough firepower that one navy source told the Daily Mail newspaper, could “take out all of South America’s fighter aircraft, let alone those of Argentina”.

A British nuclear submarine is also reportedly being deployed to the area.

During the ALBA summit, Chavez praised the economic potential of several Caribbean nations such as Dominica, with its coffee production, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, with its tourist industry, and agricultural and fishing production.

He also referred to the bloc’s decision to maintain Haiti as a permanent guest of their meetings and to have Saint Lucia and Suriname as special guest-members.

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Ian Francis:

My assumption is that all the Caribbean leaders present at this talkshop and voted to prevent any ship flying the FALKISLANDS FLAG will be presented from docking.

These hypocritical leaders know fully well that this resolution is a joke as no FalkISLANDs flag ship will come near their port. It is a joke.

Come on guys, what about mounting crime and lawlessness in your state, increasing youth unemployment, CORRUPTION and other ills.

WHAT IS TO BE DERIVED FROM ALBA? A BIG BUNCH OF JOKERS. Surprise that Comrade and Kenny will participate in such a charade

Rebecca Theodore :

Well said Ian.

This is just a joke and the biggest joker is Chavez, dressed like a clown on parade.

Shouldn't Chavez be helping these leaders to develop a strategy to fight crime in the Caribbean instead?

And Mr. Martelly, is this your vision for the Haitian people?

Tellitasitis:

This political posturing by Commonwealth Caribbean States is no laughing matter. This is just the sort of support that may encourage Argentina to launch another military attack on the Falkland Islands. Last time this happened hundreds of Argentinian and British military personnel were killed. Let us remember that many young men from the British Caribbean, unable to find work in the Isands largely due to the failure of politicians like Gonsalves, now serve in the British military. It is these boys who will be fighting for Britain in any conflict with Argentina.

It is also laughable to hear Caribbean leaders talk about removing imperialists and colonialists. We all inhabit islands seized by the British from native inhabitants. We are all for the main part descended from people brought to the Caribbean to colonise these islands. The present inhabitants of the Fakland Islands and their ancesters have been living in those island for as long, if not longer, than we and our ancestors have been in the Caribbean. Why deny the Falkland Islanders the right to self determination that we now take for granted. Let us remember that for decades Britain stationed troops in Belize to protect the territory from invasion by Guatemala. Should we now hand Belize over to Guatemala? Venezuela also has territorial claims against many of the former British Caribbean States. Do we now recognise those claims?

Those Caribbean States that now support Argentina against the British should be careful. Public opinion in Britain will be against them. Suppose for example the British decide to stop recruiting military personnel in the Caribbean and cut those already serving? Suppose the British impose visa requirements from all citizens of Caribbean States who wish to enter the UK? Suppose the tax on passengers flying to the Caribbean from the UK is increased? Just remember that like it or not we in the Caribbean need Britain more than Britain needs us. Do we really want to jeopardise our long relationship with the UK in support of ALBA?

Finally let us remember one other fact. The Argentinian Military Government invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982 to distract the Argentinian people from political unrest back home. When the British reclaimed the Islands the Military Government of Argentina fell. It ushered in a new era of democracy, not just in Argentina but throughout Latin America. Military dictatorships which had become the norm in the region were replaced by domocratically elected governments. Many of these Goverments are left wing regimes which now comprise ALBA. Before the Falkland War these left wing agitators for democracy would have "disappeared" at the hands of a military government. The present Government in Buenos Aires owes its very existence to the British victory over General Galtieri and his military regime.