President Chavez is pushing for closer relations with CARICOM states

Mr Chavez has proposed ALBA - the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas - as a counter to the US-led idea of a Free Trade Area of the Americas or FTAA.

Dominica is one of the countries which have signed a joint statement supporting the general principles of ALBA, which was founded in 2004 by Venezuela and Cuba as an alternative to the FTAA.

But not all Caribbean countries are enamoured of President Chavez's ALBA nor his Petro-Caribe oil-on-concessionary-terms initiative.

For example Trinidad and Tobago has already indicated that it's firmly in the FTAA camp: it's lobbying to host the headquarters.

Where do you stand on the issue?

I think that CARICOM should be very, very wary of ANY hemispheric integration project promoted by the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. When you look at how he seems to be, more and more, setting up a personality cult within Venezuela, this so called "Bolivarian Alternative" could just be a euphemism for "World Domination". That may be too simple a comparison, but his rhetoric by comparing criminal rebels as friend's is NOT a good sign. The Caribbean should weigh any agreement, be it with the US, UK or Venezuela, very carefully and thus far Pres. Chavez’s rhetoric is not encouraging me to think that he is anything more than a power hungry megalomaniac.
James
Bridgetown, Barbados

Mr Skerrit has no idea what he is doing to our country. Yes, we have gained benefits from Venezuela, but as a young woman should I for e.g expose myself to a man just because he gives me a little dollar. Mr Prime Minister, I love you with all my heart, but I believe that you are doing damage to our country. We do not notice the outcomes now, but I think that, in the future, we will be in trouble, or are we in it already? We have to realise that in our country, the US dollar is King. I’m just hoping that this alliance between Mr Skerrit and Chavez will not affect my goals in the future....
Student
Dominica

Have you ever seen what happens when a trans-national company comes into your country to produce a certain product with your country’s raw materials? Low wages; the manufactured product does not remain in our country, nor our region; it is shipped to the USA or Europe, where its price is multiplied hundreds of times. So, why is it that our workers do not get paid more, if this is the case? Because that is how they keep us under control, submissive. There is no investment brought back to our communities; by this, I mean developing new technology in medicine, machinery, et cetera. Our babies have malnutrition, because food isn't available. While the restaurants in Europe and in US at the end of the day, restaurants like McDonald's, discard of millions of tons of food, our food, that was produced by us, and here we are with nothing. Our corrupted leaders sold it to the highest bidder. They have the attitude of me, me, me!!! If you allow the US or European influence to continue to run the government of your country, you are basically welcoming slavery back at your own will. Support the new economic revolution. Be a patriot, not a traitor!!!
Jose D D Franco
Managua, Nicaragua

The question is: How long Mr. Skerrit will be selling Dominica out to the highest foreign investor? Mr. Skerrit needs to focus on developing Dominica and, as a result, the next generation of Dominicans can have an island they can call home. Mr. Skerrit should concentrate on social reform first, before signing any deals with Venezuela or China. Furthermore, Mr. Skerrit needs to stop the misuse of power by the Dominica police force towards the destitute children of River Street, and all the ghettos around the island, from Grand Bay to Portsmouth. Mr. Skerrit, what we need is education, so we can be better citizens in Dominica, not treaties.
Lenny Richards
Roseau, Dominica / Los Angeles, USA

1. Chavez has failed to meet HIS own promises in Petrocaribe.
2. Venezuela has fallen behind in oil production when he nationalized their oil resources. I find no problem in nationalizing the oil companies, but he did it at the expense of losing the management and expertise of the larger companies like ExxonMobil. This mismanagement will more than likely result in financial losses for Venezuela - they will not live up to any of their ALBA agreements as they will need to direct their oil funds to cover their budget needs.
3. Chavez is fooling himself thinking his country has the economic grit to make these types of agreements and fulfil them.
As a Trinidadian however, I do understand the plight of the islands that do not have the oil resource is a terrible one. More needs to be done regionally within the CARICOM states to help one another by way of food production, technology and trade. No island stands alone. When our regional leaders understand that - we will be on our way to making CARICOM into a meaningful organization - which it presently is not.
Marty Raymond
PoS, T&T

I think we need to be careful how we go about signing crucial agreements with other nations. There is always a price to pay whether it is economic or social. Why is Dominica not working with the CARICOM on better alternatives? If Chavez can't clean up his own backyard, why and how are we allowing him to clean up ours? Skerrit, think before you act. Please weigh out the Pros and Cons in respect to what Dominica's future goals are.
Babo
Dominica

For the record "Caribbean-Americans," Caricom isn't doing much about anything & particularly nothing to challenge the neo-colonialist structures that we inherited after independence. Tell me where has free trade benefited any developing country in this region? Are you aware of the level of poverty inherited by the Chavez govt. after decades of rule by the white (yes, race is also important in Venezuela) oligarchy in a country rich in oil resources.
We are insects on the world stage & must seek a new road for the independence & dignity of our people in the absence of anything new or meaningful in the English-speaking Caribbean we would be well advised to seek counsel of our Latin American neighbours they have dared to challenge the hegemony of the hypocritical white western world.
Henry Horton
Paramaribo, Suriname

I strongly believe that the islands in the Caribbean have more to gain economically by signing on to the hemispheric integration project promoted by President Hugo Chavez. Having said that, for too long now, the (islands), former British colonies have been taken for granted and not treated fairly economically by both the US and England, due to the fact that they do not have the natural recourses that can be exploited. The idea that they would become a military target by the US if they side with
Venezuela or ALBA is total madness. The fact is, there's no military alliance that can stand a military fight with the US. The islands should accept aid from whoever wants to help with no strings attached and no fear of the US.
Ragodor, Agodo
Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Chavez wants to be ruler for life. The thought of another Cuba is frightful. While the FTAA is not the best for caricom countries as so after these countries are seen by many in the FTAA grouping as a dumping ground for products that cannot be marketed or sold in the USA, affiliation with FTAA and by extension USA offers better economic security to caricom nationals in terms of employment opportunity to skilled and unskilled workers.
Lecia
Kingstown, St. Vincent

Am not sure what the Alba agreement can do for our country
Sparkles
Roseau, Dominica

I love my country and if push comes to shove I will fight for what I believe and what I believe is that we should tell Chavez to fix the problem in his back yard first then try to help other countries
Cordelle Joseph
London, Dominica / UK

It would be foolhardy for the Caribbean to join an alliance to counter America's influence in the region. Venezuela is not a superpower. It has oil, but is relatively poor. And the so called reformation policy of Chavez is likely to bankrupt the country. The thrust of Chavez is both anti-democratic and anti-capitalist.
Alex
Atlanta, USA

Come on, man! I am so tired of this belief that was cultivated by and during colonization, that we must not "bite the hand that feeds us." What are we: children? Give me a break, our main dependency on the US isn't tourism but the money and barrels that Caribbean immigrants there send back home. Emancipate yourself from mental slavery and choose, as independent nations, the best option for our own development. It doesn't have to be Chavez's ALBA or continued subservience to the US (Chavez is no worse than the US). But I refuse to choose from the lesser of 2 evils. And I definitely refuse to fear upsetting the US at risk of losing the almighty tourist dollar. Didn't the same US attack our bananas and get our offshore jurisdictions 'blacklisted' with the OECD? Stop cowering!
No name provided

Well, no need to argue, remember what has been foretold that 10 small countries will form one nation and become the supreme power of the world, I am a church going person and I believe this is what is happening right now ,just wait and see
Johnson Penn
Roadtown, BVI

Whether we go with the FTAA or not, ALBA is certainly not the way to go. Chavez is a "Caribbean man?" Give me a break. He is trying to build up an empire, and would love to see the whole Caribbean as part of it, while he and his OPEC cronies push up oil prices - which are helping to push up inflation in our country. He does not even care about his own people, who are as impoverished as ever, despite his propaganda. He is not a democrat, and he does not have the best interests of the Caribbean at heart. The Caribbean has strong links to the U.S., 75% of Jamaica's tourists are American and it is by far our biggest trading partner - not to mention the many thousands of Jamaicans living in the U.S. and sending back remittances! I fail to understand the reasoning behind Dominica and St Vincent's interest in ALBA. It seems to be muddle-headed politics, two tiny countries trying to show they stand for something. I hope they don't regret it...
Louise
Kingston, Jamaica

I would like to begin by saying as a Dominican I am impressed with the many views shared on such an interesting topic by such a wide cross section of both Dominicans and Caribbean nationals home and abroad.
Noted, however, are views made on personal opinions and geographical location. The point was raised that Caribbean nationals are not fully informed on the ALBA agreement that is being proposed by the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. I am in total agreement with this view point and would like to admonish that we not only familiarize ourselves with the issues concerning ALBA but also that of the FTAA.
Undoubtedly, there are a few Caribbean countries that have unsettled issues with Venezuela and as such may have resentment towards Hugo Chavez. The issue of Dominica’s prime minister exchanging bird island for oil, from my perspective does not merit the outcry. This island is uninhabitable and there has been no confirmed existence of vast natural resources that could be of any substantial benefit to Dominica…. We suffer from high levels of unemployment, low income and we continue to remain a country in need of substantial foreign aid, to make ends meet. When are we ever going to be able to venture out to Bird Island?
The FTAA is yet to be fully implemented and I do agree that no one gives anything for nothing in return…so here it is the United States is proposing the FTAA (we must then agree, that it is for something. ……………….
A BIG THANKS GOES OUT TO CHAVEZ on behalf of the many poor families in Dominica who now have students in Venezuelan universities, for free Spanish courses at the Venezuelan institute on the island of Dominica, for assistance after hurricane dean, for the millions in grant funding and low interest loans.
Victor
Dominica

WHAT is Bird Island...Mostly sand, a small portion has some scrubby vegetation. It is sometimes completely UNDER WATER DURING hurricanes. Bird island PAS VAUX CHOU PAYTAY!!..it is no big deal.
Domnitchen
Tampa, Florida

Signing up to FTAA would be like biting the hand that feed us. About 40 percent of out tourist population comes from the US as well as our Caribbean citizens including St. Lucia relying on the US dollar to survive. Chavez has no interest in the Caribbean except that he wants us to loose what we already have. For an oil rich country, its a shame and an embarrassment that Venezuela poverty level is almost on par with Haiti. It would be a big mistake to be sucked into the Chavez net.
Gordon Augustin
Castries, St.lucia

I note with satisfaction that most of the opinions stated so far reflect an anti-imperialist perspective, whether opposed to Chavez or not. Most of you opposed to CARICOM joining ALBA frame it in terms of your concern for Chavez's possible imperialist designs on Guyana and Dominica's Bird Island. Meanwhile, most of you in support of ALBA, phrase your support in terms of your resistance to US imperialism which has forced our Caribbean dependence on it. I would only propose this: that we anti-imperialists need not ally ourselves with any imperialist entity. We can seek or create alternatives.
The truth is the US has always been very treacherous and indifferent to our interests. One contributor offered banana as the most recent of centuries of examples of American manipulation and greed at work in the Caribbean. And Mr. Chavez talks the talk of an anti-imperialist leftist, but his claims to Dominica's Bird Island (Roosevelt Skerrit, what can you be thinking, man? Can't you see the irony in your signing Dominica to ALBA?) and a huge chunk of Guyana suggest his is a different ideology.
When will we stop scurrying for cover from one master to the next?
Minnie Cato
Cyprus

Well, well, well. The name DOMINICA or rather Commonwealth of Dominica, is in the limelight. Now, we won't confuse DOMINICA with the Dominican Republic.
Ike
Dominica

Someone mentioned that Chavez should give back to Dominica what is rightfully theirs and that is Bird Island. This Bird Island rises 4 m above the sea on a calm day. Mostly sand, a small portion has some scrubby vegetation. It is sometimes completely submerged DURING hurricanes. We in Dominica can do without Bird Island. Someone also mentioned that Chavez recently purchased 100,000 AK 47 rifles from Russia. Every country buys weapon, and Venezuela is a big enough country to have it's own system of defence.
Now the fact remains it may be true that Chavez is trying to get noticed by but we have to think positive. Has there ever been a war or moment of grave conflict with Venezuela lately? Every country has been through some sort of crap at one point or another.....Give it time. Remember the man is not against America, He is just against an administration. Even we at some point are against a certain administration. It is all in the game of politics.
Domnitchen
Tampa, Florida

Spanish is not my native tongue. Alba is not my native culture. Most of my brothers and sisters live in the US and have children. Are you asking to fight my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Chavez has poverty that is worsr than any Caribbean island with the exception of Haiti. After so many years in office poverty is still getting worse in oil rich Venezuela. How can ALBA positively affect us. How can we be part of something when it's the same members that lobbied the WTO against our banana protection. Why are we buying oil from Chavez at OPEC prices and not trying to make Caricom work and try to get better oil prices from Trinidad and Tobago who is not a member of OPEC. Now that we all have to move to tourism, are the ALBA member going to fill our hotels .Remember not just America constituteS FTAA, it also includeS Mexico and Canada and other Caricom members.
Eugene
Kingstown, St Vincent

The region should proceed with caution. Mr Chavez is out to prove to the US that he can muster up support in the region but i really do not believe he has the interest of the people at heart. Let him put words into action and negotiate fairly boundary settlements with some of our countries first
Loxley John
St Patrick, Grenada

CARICOM ought not to sign on to ALBA. It would be a major disaster.
Julian Murray-Carryl
Sao Paulo, Brazil

The principles stated by ALBA seem positive. However, enactment seems to diverge from the stated principles. Specifically, ALBA is supposed to be "based on grassroots citizen participation", but the citizens of Dominica have been given no say in our participation - there has been no discussion whatsoever. Can we then trust any of the other stated principles?
Zebedee Dublanc
Dominica

An alternative to the American system should be considered by the Caribbean, the plan should seriously be considered. It will greatly help developing countries like Guyana. I am supporting Chavez on this because it will help stronger neighbourly ties.
Farouk Basir
Essequibo, Guyana

I think Chavez should hand over Bird Island to its rightful owner, Dominica. Once, he does that we will know he is genuinely committed to our development. Until, then, we must tread with caution and postpone signing on to ALBA. Chavez clearly has an agenda, to have as many countries sign on to ALBA, so he can prove to Washington that he has support in the region. He is using us as pawns in his war against the U.S. - what is in it for us?
Debbie
Toronto, Canada

I am very skeptical of Dominica's rash participation in ALBA. For one thing, in an era of increasing Caribbean cooperation joining a trade bloc seem like something that CARICOM countries should either do together or not at all. Moreover, if PetroCaribe is so great, then why does gasoline still cost more in Dominica than it does in the States? And this talk of military alliance is nothing short of madness. With his vast oil reserves Chavez can afford to tweak the nose of Leviathan. Dominica has no such luxury. Do we really want to make it more difficult for our students to get visas to study in the U.S., or our people to get work authorization there? It's not Caracas where half our population lives, after all, but New York.
Steve Foerster
Alexandria, Virginia, US and Salisbury, Dominica

Grenada should not be paying for oil from Venezuela until our maritime boundaries are settled. It just may be that we are paying for our own oil.
David Blackburn
St George's

Well to tell you the truth I have nothing against Chavez. I think he has good intentions for the Caribbean people. I really believe ALBA can work for us as we are so dependent on the US and they really don’t do much for us. See how they fight us down in the banana industries. It is time we start to make decisions for ourselves. I say let us give ALBA a chance.
Terry Simon
Roseau, Dominica

I would advise caution. Whereas it is true that the USA has abandoned its aid to the Caribbean and Latin America in its ill advised and ill conceived war against "terrorism", the region must not allow itself to be dragged into Mr. Chavez' political agenda, for which he uses millions of petrodollars to buy sympathy. More dangerous is his interference now in the national politics of Caribbean countries, trying to bolster support for sympathetic politicians that may be in trouble.
Allyson,
Belize City

People of the Caribbean, ask yourself this question. Chavez recently purchased 100,000 AK 47 rifles from Russia, he has ordered some of their newest jet fighters, he is in the process of ordering a few diesel submarines. He is constantly saying that America is going to invade his country. Recently he mentioned that both Colombia and America are going to attack. This is a man that is preparing to start a war. His army is the largest after Colombia. What CARICOM needs to do is tell Chavez to take a hike. Dominica will regret their decision. This man is a dictator plain and simple.
Wulfgang
United States

I think we may be jumping out of the pot into the fire. Chavez has his own political aspirations, so his motives have to be considered carefully. We have to be careful of how we tread because the Caribbean, at present, cannot afford to make the US an enemy
Cireta Knowles
Kingston, Jamaica

The people of the Caribbean should be very cautious about Hugo Chavez, this is a very dangerous and erratic man. Right now Venezuela has major problems with food shortages. This is one of the main reasons he is so eager to get out countries involved. While America may not have the greatest track record, it is still the Caribbean best choice for dealing with trade. Also Mr. Chavez is itching to plunge the region into a war. Do not be fooled by this duplicitous, arrogant crazy idiot. Yo are looking at another Stalin, Hitler in the making. He is also looking to pick a fight with Columbia. Any country that aligns itself with Iran is a dangerous country.
Duncan McCloud
United States

In a U.S led free market which has marginalised the Caribbean, this stands to be a ray of hope. This argument has become one of allignment, Disheartening, as is every economic policy that Latin America and the Caribbean have undertaken which does not favour the U.S. Any to note that Trinidad & Tobago supplies a large proportion of the U.S natural Gas consumption and, as a supplier of oil to the Caribbean at standard rates, it cannot take any other stance than that of the ftAA.
Paul Oscar
Laborie, St.Lucia

Maybe Chavez's involvement with us would place us in a strategic position. It may cause America to pay more attention to us. See how their dealings with us changed somewhat after the end of the Cold War? I think it is in our interest to court both sides.
George Scott
St. Peters, St. Kitts

Maybe Chavez's involvement with us would place us in a strategic position. It may cause America to pay more attention to us. See how their dealings with us changed somewhat after the end of the Cold War? I think it is in our interest to court both sides.
George Scott
St. Peters, St. Kitts

Hey don't be emotional any of you who write your opinion on this page. Take a deep breath, sit back, take yourself back since you started to understand the politics of certain countries. Do you think it's fair for me or any one to come to your house to tell you how to run your house or[country]and tell you what to do?
M Black
Uniondale, USA

Caribean countries should embrace ALBA as total dependency on the US only maintains the status quo ie relative poverty in the Caribbean and economic dependency on the US and Europe! ALBA would allow alternatives for economic development. It is totally astonishing to me, as it is, that no one in the Caribbean has come to the idea of using solar energy, wind and the power from sea currents (see Norway) to generate "renewable" energy. Total dependency on the US will NOT bring economic development, just maintaining the status quo!!
Mitra
Schärding, Austria

Caribbean nations should proceed with caution when aligning themselves with Hugo Chavez. Socialist ideas can appear attractive and workable in black and white. In the hands of politicians intent on pushing their own agenda it can lead to something different and adverse. By signing on to ALBA will the islands be opening the door to a compromise of their independence and democracy in the long run? Hugo Chavez recently called for the removal of FARC rebels in Columbia from the list of terrorists. The Venezuelan leader's ideas are skewed and his motives arouse suspicion.
Lisa Poliah
Marabella, Trinidad and Tobago

Hugo Chavez is heading for a confrontation with the United States and he's seeking to drag the Caribbean into it. The Caribbean needs the US much more than Venezuela. While I appreciate the gesture from Mr. Chavez, I think the Caribbean should sit this one out.
Dwight Williams
Castries, St Lucia

I think CARICOM should court both sides and see what works out in its favour. CARICOM shouldn't have to be on Chavez's side or the side of the US. It should do what's best for its citizens.
Tanya Gordon
Clarendon, Jamaica

I think black Caribbeans, or people with similar cultures, need to have their own organizations. You don't see Caricom trying to join any Andes organization. The Dominican Republic, for years, has been trying to join Caricom despite their dismal record toward Haitians.
Harry Joseph
New York, USA

There is potential for Guyana finding oil by the Canadian company CGX in a couple of years. Therefore the border dispute with Venezuela must be addressed very quickly, before any agreement on ALBA is signed.
Norman Williams
Brampton, Canada

I think Chavez wants to create a socialist region. I don't think the Caribbean nations can trust this man. He hasn't even lived up to his agreement to Petrocaribe in full. His goal is simply to create all kinds of alliances that throw mud at the US Government. The integrity of these alliances, however, are questionable.
He needs to focus on the high and growing levels of poverty in his own country. He is not fit to be deemed a sound and trustworthy regional leader.
Marty Raymond
T&T

It is decades overdue. NAFTA has only benefited the U.S. NAFTA should have been called Free Access For Americans {FAFA}
Dennis
Toronto, Canada

We West Indians are a free people. We must never forget where we came from. To allow others to dictate with whom we should associate is to relinquish part of the freedom we have worked so hard to maintain.
Venezuela is part of our region, and President Chavez is a genuine Caribbean man. There are others who put more fear in us than Mr. Chavez. We must, above everything else, maintain our independence.
Vincy
(No address given)

The Caribbean nations have to be very careful in their dealing with Mr. Chavez. Mr Chavez’s views are very outdated and counter productive to that of the Caribbean and, as such, should be taken seriously. The Caribbean Heads of Government have to put a price on selling their citizens to Mr. Chavez for oil, and to be used as pawns in his chess game against the USA. Selling out to Mr. Chavez and his oil deals is simply closing the doors to the world largest economy, the USA. Take the passport laws the USA just passed, putting the Caribbean at a great disadvantage in the Caribbean bread and butter tourism, as just a beginning of things to come.
In my opinion, the Caribbean should be coming together to reduce their dependency on oil and used the lost cottas in sugar to produce ethanol to sell to the world. As important as oil is currently, in the next ten years there will be a switch to more environmentally friendly fuel. If the Caribbean nations come together, be proactive and think of the future, this would put them in a strategic position, and would have Venezuela and others countries running to them, and not the other way around.
Partner with Brazil on Ethanol (Brazil, the largest economy in South American) and not with Venezuela with oil.
Jamaican Living in the USA
Jermaine
Newington, USA

One should always strive for a good relationship with one’s neighbours, so we should get as close as peas in a pod.
Angela Wilson
Kingston, Jamaica

If you make a deal with the devil he will eventually come after your soul. CARICOM does not need to sign any such pact with Chavez. Trindad has oil, Guyana (is believed to have) oil. The Bahamas has liquefied natural gas and there is believed to be oil there. All they need is a much stronger energy programme. But first they must all agree to work together. CARICOM has the natural resources and the brain power to rival the EU. The first big step is to begin to focus away from tourism as a life blood, then to have a common currency pegged to the US dollar, then to keep Venezuela as an observer away from full membership. Venezuela has a huge military might and they will use it to bully the weaker CARICOM states. Venezuela is teetering on becoming a rogue state. Chavez is a mad man and he has the latest weapons to back him up.
Francis
Columbus, USA

It is only natural for Caricom leaders to move cautiously when at a cross roads such as this. History has taught us that no imperialist power has ever done anything for the “benefit” of someone else. However I am in full support of this new hybrid of Caribbean imperialism and Chavez’s Bolivarian revolution ALBA; he is not only focused on trade, but rather social welfare and mutual economic aid. Remember the days of the Soviet Union ? Didn’t they help Cuba? What has the United States done for Cuba? Only create for economic misery. Come on now…..let’s not be “Yes Men to America.”
Oliver Thomas
Bridgetown, Barbados

I don't think there is enough information to the public about ALBA. If Chavez wants to have his way and is giving aid to poor Caribbean countries that he can win their support, I don't think it would be wise to be part of any agreement with Venezuela because while they may sound good, they may be done with ulterior motives which could have very serious repercussions on our small islands, such as refusing visa applications for nationals of the islands that are under Chavez's control. As a Dominican, I caution my PM, with all his good intentions, BEWARE!
Clayton Florent
Baie Mahault, Guadeloupe

I think President Chavez is honest in what he is doing and genuinely wants to help CARICOM as he is trying very hard to get his country out of poverty. We should not be blind not try to make good judgement in what we do especially as it relates to our economic and development situations.
Even the USA is doing business with Venezuela and Cuba, so why can not accept this trade arrangement?
It will be a very good move to secure our future in all areas. The Caribbean have more to gain from relationship with countries they see fit to have relations with and Venezuela is one such country.
Let go and have to agreement and when the one with the USA comes join it as well.
Lincoln
St. Kitts and Nevis

Chavez has some brilliant ideas. Once you don’t genuflect to Uncle Sam, however, you are branded as looney, terrorist, undemocratic, etc. Viva Chavez!
Michael
St. George's, Grenada

The uncontrolled expansion of capitalism through globalization is undermining the democratic process.
Urban Wilson
Laborie, St. Lucia

CARICOM’s relations with Hugo Chavez's Venezuela is very destructive and divisive. The PetroCaribe Agreement saw Trinidad deciding to stay out of the agreement, which sets a bad precedence for Intra-CARICOM relations. Also, by supporting closer ties with Hugo Chavez, for instance Venezuela purchasing 50% of PetroJam, puts CARICOM nations in a tough position as Pres. Chavez makes incursions and claims into Guyana, a CARICOM member state. Finally, Chavez has publicly declared himself an enemy of the United States and there's a saying in Jamaica that goes "you're guilty by association". If CARICOM continues to keep close ties with Pres Chavez we essentially stand against our largest trading partner and largest aid donor.
Andre Thompson
Kingston, Jamaica

Sometimes poverty forces a lot of Third World Countries to make decisions their citizens do not like but have no choice. I suggest that these small island States are not taken for granted. They do have a vote in UN.
Ormond V Robertson
United States

I grew up in the aftermath of Castro's freeing Cuba from American imperialism; however the fear of Cuba was constantly instilled in our subconscious. Today, even with 40yrs of US blockade, Cuba has surpassed my homeland (Trinidad) & other Caribbean countries in several - if not all areas except individual wealth accumulation, where the richer gets richer and (capitalism ethos) the poor is poorer.
We should stand shoulder to shoulder with our regional neighbours - we must learn to communicate with them not fear them.
Rudet
Mayaro, Trinidad

The FTAA has not resulted in any positive benefits for St. Kitts and Nevis. In fact, the ordinary Kittitian and Nevisian cannot tell you what the FTAA is about. On the other hand, ALBA, is being explained to the people of the Caribbean by Mr. Chavez, with governments apparently having more meaningful involvement in its shaping and accordingly being able to tap into the benefits being made available. This is real progress for the Caribbean people who have continuously been neglected by our neighbours to the North.
Shame on them for continuing to deprive and stereotype the people of Cuba.
Charles Jong
Basseterre, St. Kitts

Venezuela’s (claim) to Bird Island off Dominica is unaccepted. Their claim to the resources off Grenada is against international law. Chavez is behaving like the real devil in the Caribbean. CARICOM must broker a settlement to end the border (dispute)with Guyana. They should not be fooled with a few barrels of oil - oil that might well belong to Venezuela’s neighbour.
Michael Baptiste
Grenville, Grenada

An Alternative to The FTAA. I'm not sure how it would work if some countries pursue the FTAA while other engage in the ALBA - what are the implications for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy?
Of more concern is the influence Venezuela is exerting in the region. Petro-Caribe seems a very generous gesture on the part of Chavez but have the Caribbean countries who signed up to this initiative asked what are his long term aims? What is it that Venezuela really wants since no country simply affords benefits to others without getting something back in return. International relations at the end are about doing things in countries' best interest. Chavez has made his view on the US very clear. While I have been appalled by the way the US has marginalised the Caribbean, once again because they view that they don’t have much to gain from deeper engagement, any hope of improving relations with the only super power will not be aided if we support the Chavez rhetoric.
Similarly care has to be taken with respect to the pace that relations with China are developed. Why does China invest in the Caribbean at the rate it is doing?
Richy
(no address given)