CARACAS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) on Tuesday expressed support for the people and government of Cuba in safeguarding the country's sovereignty.

In a statement released on its website and shared by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on social media, the bloc said its support is based on the just defense of Cuba's sovereignty and independence and on the country's legitimate right to self-determination and to develop friendly and cooperative relations with other nations in line with international law.

The statement reaffirmed that the United Nations Charter provides the foundation for peaceful coexistence among nations, including principles such as sovereign equality, non-interference, peaceful resolution of disputes and the right of every country to decide its political, economic and social project.

The bloc commended Cuba's long-standing foreign policy and its commitment to international cooperation, solidarity among peoples and respect for the norms of international law.

It called on the international community to continue supporting Cuba, in line with repeated majority resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly urging the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States to help promote peace.

ALBA-TCP is a regional intergovernmental organization that aims for social, political and economic integration of Latin American and Caribbean countries. ■