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April 20, 2010

ALBA Summit Coincides with Venezuelan Bicentennial
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Member states of ALBA, the Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas, have
kicked off a summit in Venezuela. On Monday, Cuban President Raul
Castro, Bolivian President Evo Morales and Nicaraguan President Daniel
Ortega joined Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at a parade marking
Venezuela’s bicentennial. The celebration comes days after Venezuela
marked the eighth anniversary of the US-backed coup that briefly removed
Chavez from office. Addressing the crowd, Chavez called for continued
resistance to foreign interference.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “Here, the people and the soldiers are
prepared to defend to the very last millimeter this sacred land that
will never be ruled by a foreign power—a free and independent country.”



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