Fidel Castro: Major ALBA Precursor, Nicaraguan Leader Says
Cuban President Fidel Castro is the main forerunner of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), affirmed Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who will take part in the fifth ALBA summit beginning Saturday in Venezuela.

Cuban VP Heads ALBA Summit Mission
Vice President Carlos Lage is heading the Cuban delegation to the fifth Summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), to begin Saturday in the Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto, it was informed here.

Venezuela for Unity, not Violence
Venezuela is committed to achieving Latin American and Caribbean integration, despite violent destabilization attempts by the opposition this week.

Brazil to become world's seventh biggest economy
Brazil is expected to become the world's seventh biggest economy as a result of a new statistics calculation method, Brazilian finance minister Guido Mantega said in San Paulo Friday.

Latin American leaders meet on energy, trade cooperation
Latin American leaders on Saturday met in the northern Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto, to talk about boosting regional cooperation in energy, trade and other sectors.