Cuba and Bolivia to join BRICS

Both Spanish-speaking countries are among a select group of nations that have been officially offered partner status, one tier below full membership.

Other countries reportedly offered similar invitation are Belarus, Indonesia Türkiye, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

BRICS is an informal group of states comprising the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.

It is reported that BRICS, named for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, accounts for 45% of the world’s population and one-third of the global economy.

The group has expanded since with Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates attaining member status earlier this year.

La Paz and Hanava are historically staunch opponents of US imperialism. For decades both nations have been slapped with harsh sanctions by the United States and even had to repel attempts of regime change orchestrated by the world’s superpower.

It therefore, isn’t a surprise that they have accepted invitation to join the BRICS+ group which is presenting itself as an alternate to US-led global hegemony.

Partner status within the group allows participants to engage in discussions without voting rights.