CUMANA, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez said Thursday that Venezuela will vote against the declaration of the Summit of the Americas in a gesture of protest against the United States.The summit, which begins Friday, brings together all 34 members of the Organization of American States. But Chavez said it reinforces a U.S. foreign policy that treats the rest of Latin America as subservient to Washington's interests.The socialist leader criticized a clause in the draft declaration of the Americas Summit referring to democracy, saying such language should not be used to exclude Cuba."Where is there more democracy, in the United States or in Cuba?" he said. "I have no doubt -- there's more democracy in Cuba."
CUMANA, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez said Thursday that Venezuela will vote against the declaration of the Summit of the Americas in a gesture of protest against the United States.
The summit, which begins Friday, brings together all 34 members of the Organization of American States. But Chavez said it reinforces a U.S. foreign policy that treats the rest of Latin America as subservient to Washington's interests.
The socialist leader criticized a clause in the draft declaration of the Americas Summit referring to democracy, saying such language should not be used to exclude Cuba.
"Where is there more democracy, in the United States or in Cuba?" he said. "I have no doubt -- there's more democracy in Cuba."
Venezuela and other members of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Nations of Our America, or ALBA, also plan to lessen reliance on the U.S. dollar by establishing a common currency, the sucre, for trade purposes. The leaders signed an agreement creating what Chavez said will be a "virtual currency" for trade.Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also said the eastern Caribbean island chain wants to join the ALBA. "All that needs to be done is sign the documents," he said.
Venezuela and other members of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Nations of Our America, or ALBA, also plan to lessen reliance on the U.S. dollar by establishing a common currency, the sucre, for trade purposes. The leaders signed an agreement creating what Chavez said will be a "virtual currency" for trade.
Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also said the eastern Caribbean island chain wants to join the ALBA. "All that needs to be done is sign the documents," he said.
