Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, sponsor of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) addresses the 3rd extraordinary summit of the ALBA in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on November 26, 2008. During the one-day meeting of the ALBA on Wednesday, the presidents of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Honduras and Ecuador discussed possible solutions to the current financial crisis. The ALBA trade alliance, set up by Cuba and Venezuela in 2004 as a fair trade alternative to US-backed free trade policies, includes Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Caribbean island of Dominica.

Leaders of seven countries attend the 3rd extraordinary summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) pose for a group photo in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on November 26, 2008. During the one-day meeting of the ALBA on Wednesday, the presidents of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Honduras and Ecuador discussed possible solutions to the current financial crisis. The ALBA trade alliance, set up by Cuba and Venezuela in 2004 as a fair trade alternative to US-backed free trade policies, includes Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Caribbean island of Dominica.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2008)