Former Nicaraguan President and Sandinist presidential candidate Daniel Ortega vowed that in the event of winning the elections next November 5th, Nicaragua would join the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), composed of Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia.

"Unquestionably, we should look southwards, we should seek integration; and ALBA is an open door, it is Latin American and Caribbean integration," Ortega told AFP in Havana.

The leader of the Sandinist Front for National Liberation (FSLN) noted that Nicaraguan mayors of the leftwing group have signed agreements within the framework of ALBA, an initiative contrary to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) prompted by Washington.
 
"Definitely, joining ALBA is an item in our agenda," he added. Last weekend, Ortega attended a summit in Cuba with the participation of President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Bolivia and Cuban ruler Fidel Castro.