The Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas - re-baptised the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - came into being in April of 2005 when Venezuela and Cuba signed the Treaty of Commerce of the People. Under this treaty, Caracas began furnishing discounted hydrocarbons to Havana in exchange for medical services. This political and economic organisation is designed to promote regional cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean. What social conclusions can be drawn about this institution after five years of existence? What is the real impact of this alliance on the people it touches? This article seeks to establish a global overview of the ALBA's initiatives with particular emphasis placed on two humanitarian social policies: 'Operación Milagro (Operation Miracle)', whose objective is to provide surgical operations to people suffering from cataracts and other eye diseases, and the Cuban educational programme 'Yo, si puedo (Yes, I can)' aimed at teaching illiterates to read, not only on the South American continent, but also in other parts of the world as well, including Western Europe.