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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsU.S. Latin America growing more distant
http://www.nationofchange.org/us-latin-america-growing-more-distant-warns-think-tank-1334209393"The United States must regain credibility in the region by dealing seriously with an unfinished agenda of problems, including immigration, drugs, and Cuba that stands in the way of a real partnership," according to Michael Shifter, president of the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue (IAD).
The 20-page report, entitled "Remaking the Relationship", described current inter-American relations as "generally cordial but lack(ing) in vigor and purpose". It suggested that Washington, in particular, has failed to fully come to terms with Latin America's strong economic and political progress over the past two decades.
It also concluded that the two sides "need to do more to exploit the enormous untapped opportunities of their relationship in economics, trade, and energy", as well as to work more closely together on global and regional problems.
"They need to breathe new life and vigor into hemispheric relations," it stressed.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos faced a dilemma. He was set to take center stage as host of this weekend's summit of Western Hemisphere leaders in this colonial-era port. But Washington's veto of Cuba as a participant was threatening to torpedo the meeting.
So off he went to Havana, where Cuba's leader graciously told Santos his country had no intention of spoiling the summit by insisting on an invite. Without Barack Obama, there is no summit, Raul Castro jokingly told Santos last month, according to officials with direct knowledge who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk with the press.
Disaster averted, the Colombian leader's reputation as a deft diplomat and budding powerbroker who gets along with just about everybody was enhanced.
"There is little question that Santos has emerged as a regional leader. This was his aspiration from the day he took office," said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJCzOa6Oy9ad4xRre2Xnc_xLkatA?docId=6bcf86ac3bac4698b6d7b1b8fa48aa8f
flamingdem
(39,304 posts)good of Cuba not to derail the party