A/HRC/19/12 society. Furthermore, President Hugo Chávez had ratified his commitment to continue to hoist the flags of independence, justice and democracy. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 19. During the interactive dialogue 50 delegations made statements. Numerous statements noted the high level of the Venezuelan delegation, which demonstrated the strong commitment of the Government to the universal periodic review. A number of interventions welcomed the efforts of the Government in combatting exclusion and poverty, in particular extreme poverty, as well as other important achievements in the area of economic, social and cultural rights. Additional statements which could not be delivered during the interactive dialogue owing to time constraints are posted on the extranet of the Universal Periodic Review when available. 1 Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 20. Cuba considered the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as an exemplary project of equity, solidarity and social justice. The country had made tremendous achievements in all categories of human rights in favour of the Venezuelans and other peoples of the world. The Government had succeeded in the realization of all human rights in a very short period of time. Cuba made recommendations. 21. Nicaragua commended the high level of the delegation, which showed the importance given by the Government to human rights. It noted the failure of global capitalism and highlighted the current economic crisis. Venezuela was a victim of this system, noting it had presented a different plan, the Bolivarian Alternative, which confronted capitalism and its contradictions. It made a recommendation. 22. The Russian Federation commended Venezuela for its efforts undertaken to promote and protect human rights and in particular for the measures taken to eradicate poverty and to ensure full enjoyment of the right to health, food and social security. It welcomed the Government’s openness to the international dialogue regarding human rights and the strengthening cooperation with international and regional human rights instruments. It made recommendations. 23. Bolivia (Plurinational State of) highlighted Venezuela’s recognition of human rights in its Constitution, particularly those of indigenous peoples and Afro-Venezuelans. It noted that the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had also recognized the multiethnic and multicultural nature of Venezuelan society. It praised the participation of indigenous peoples in Parliament, elected with respect to their customs. It welcomed the Organic Education Law, its School Food Program and the Canaima Program on technology for education. It made recommendations. 24. Ecuador highlighted Venezuela’s progress in implementing public policies to eradicate poverty and celebrated the fact that the first MDG was already been met. It acknowledged the Government's commitment to maintain and increase social investment, doubling it between 2007 and 2010. It also welcomed the implementation of public policies aimed at improving the distribution of income and wealth and to progressively reduce the unemployment rate. 1 Statements of the Philippines, India, Spain, Poland, Costa Rica, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Netherlands, Argentina, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, Cyprus, Austria, Oman, Latvia, Palestine, Sudan, Morocco, El Salvador, Haiti, Yemen, Nigeria, Djibouti and Jamaica. 5