Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa stated that his country next week is to announce whether it is joining the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) or not.

Correa, who attended a meeting of Latin American and Caribbean presidents to discuss food sovereignty and security in Managua, Nicaragua, in a press conference said that he recently instructed the Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs to prepare a report based on this subject matter.

"We will make a decision next week. I do not see why we should not join ALBA," he declared. Correa regretted the fact that his government had not attached "the adequate importance and attention" to the regional organization.

ALBA, promoted by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, is currently comprised of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Bolivia.