Improved Cooperation at Summit of the Americas

By Ioana Botea

President Obama met with 33 other regional leaders in Port of Spain, Trinidad, to launch a “new era of partnership” between the nations of the western hemisphere. The American president announced the beginning of a new chapter of engagement, based on an equal partnership with “no minor and major partners” – a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. The 5th Summit of the Americas covered issues ranging from migration, drug trafficking, and energy. Obama insisted that such challenges that have serious implications for all nations must be tackled jointly. He made an effort to overcome past disputes by opening dialogue with countries including Cuba and Venezuela. He argued that it is in the U.S.’s strategic interest to strengthen ties with its southern neighbors in order to secure imports of oil and other commodities. Also, the influence of the United States in the region has been diminishing in favor of rivals such as India and China.

The elephant in the room was one country not invited: Cuba. The Brazilian president, Lula da Silva, declared that he cannot imagine a future summit of the Americas without Cuba. In an attempt to alleviate some of the anticipated criticism against U.S. embargo on Cuba, Obama had raised restrictions on travel and remittances for Cuban-Americans. He also urged the Cuban government to take concrete action besides their increased willingness to negotiate. Recognizing some “potential positive signs” between the United States, Cuba and Venezuela, Obama insisted that the test would be “not only words, but also deeds.”

For the last decade, Hugo Chavez has been one of the U.S.’s most virulent critics. Surprisingly, he appeared to be more open to dialogue with the new American president. When Obama notoriously shook his hand, Chavez claims to have told him, “I want to be your friend.” At the same time however, the Venezuelan leader had promised from the onset of the meeting that he would veto any decision in sign of protest to Cuba’s exclusion. Chavez said he is ready to send a new ambassador to Washington, as he considered the summit a “good start,” and admitted that the leaders have “started taking some good steps.”

The summit was regarded as “a moment of great challenge and opportunity” amid the economic meltdown across the hemisphere. The Latin American leaders recognized the importance of Obama’s domestic plan to be efficient in order for their economies to benefit as well. In an op-ed in the Miami Herald prior to the summit, Obama emphasized his determination to overcome past animosity, and to re-engage with Latin American countries. He wrote, “My administration is committed to renewing and sustaining a broader partnership between the United States and the hemisphere on behalf of our common prosperity and common security.” Despite the summit’s failure to produce any concrete decision, a promising first step was taken towards reconciliation and future cooperation between the United States and its southern neighbors.