VENEZUELA: Latin American leaders gather in Caracas for ALBA Summit amid bicentennial celebrations

Record ID: 785313

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Latin American leaders gather in Caracas for ALBA Summit amid bicentennial celebrations
  • Date: 20th April 2010
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (APRIL 19, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL PANTHEON WHERE INDEPENDENCE LEADER, SIMON BOLIVAR, IS BURIED AND WHERE LATIN AMERICAN LEADERS MET FOR BOLIVARIAN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE AMERICAS (ALBA) SUMMIT BIRD OFFICIAL GUARD AT THE NATIONAL PANTHEON VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ ARRIVING AT THE PANTHEON AND GREETING CHILDREN VARIOUS OF CUBAN LEADER, RAUL CASTRO, ARRIVING AT THE PANTHEON AND BEING WELCOMED BY CHAVEZ VARIOUS OF ARGENTINE PRESIDENT, CRISTINA FERNANDEZ, ARRIVING AT THE PANTHEON AND GREETING CHILDREN VARIOUS OF NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT, DANIEL ORTEGA, ARRIVING AT THE PANTHEON WITH HIS WIFE VARIOUS OF DOMINICA'S PRIME MINISTER, ROOSEVELT SKERRIT, HEAD OF GOVERNMENT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, RALPH GONSALVES, AND BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT, EVO MORALES, STEPPING OUT OF BUS AND GOING INTO THE PANTHEON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC'S PRESIDENT, LEONEL FERNANDEZ, ARRIVING AT THE PANTHEON
  • Embargoed: 5th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA3IIITG2PBH0N1AU9LO3SAE3W2
  • Story Text: Leftist South American leaders gathered in Caracas Monday (April 19) marking Venezuela's declaration of independence from Spain 200 years ago.
    The leaders of the ALBA alliance of Latin American countries led by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gathered for a summit amid national celebrations throughout the country for the nation's bicentennial anniversary.
    Chavez arrived to the National Pantheon in Caracas where independence leader Simon Bolivar is buried, greeting children who had gathered for the festivity.
    Cuban President Raul Castro was greeted by Chavez followed by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.
    The Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves and Bolivian President Evo Morales were also on hand for the event.
    Chavez casts himself as the 19th century Simon Bolivar and said he is following the will of the countries founders with his socialist projects.
    "Today we are here following the principles of the fathers and mothers of this nation, more conscious than ever that only by being united like we are today -- once more after 200 years of battles -- only united we will have a greater nation. Welcome."
    The socialist leader has become the regions most outspoken voice against American dominance and has presented his rule of more than 11 years as a chance to bury the influence of capitalism.
    The Venezuelan nation assembly is to hold a special session with the visiting heads of state.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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