Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez plans to give start to a grand alliance to counter U.S. influence during a two-day 33-nation summit starting Friday, December 2, with participation of nations from Brazil to Jamaica.

According to AP, many presidents have less sweeping goals in mind, seeing the new Community of Latin American and Caribbean States mainly as a forum for resolving regional conflicts, building closer ties and promoting economic development.

Yet the bloc's creation is also a sign that for many countries, the United States is no longer seen as an essential diplomatic player in regional affairs.

Chavez, who sells the largest share of Venezuela's oil to the United States, is urging the region to assert its independence, noting it was once a dream of 19th century independence hero Simon Bolivar to unify Latin American nations.