Obama will play defense at Summit of Americas

Houston Chronicle ^ | April 13, 2012 | FRANK BAJAK

[SwinneySwitch]

CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) — Barack Obama will be on the defensive heading into this weekend's Summit of the Americas, with the U.S. stubbornly clinging to positions opposed by most Latin American and Caribbean leaders as its influence in the region wanes.

The American president can expect even some of Washington's friendliest allies to protest U.S. insistence on excluding communist Cuba from the gathering. There will be vigorous discussion on drug legalization, which the Obama administration opposes. And Obama can expect to be in the minority in his opposition to Argentina's claim to the British-controlled Falkland Islands.

Obama remains popular in Latin America, but many of his position are not.

On top of that, many of the issues Latin American leaders are looking for answers on, such as Cuba, drug trafficking and immigration, may prove to be contentious during a U.S. election year. Although the popular, charismatic Obama may be able to charm the region's leaders, he will have to convince them that the United States remains relevant to them and their countries.

Meeting with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez at his request, Obama can expect to discuss that country's claim to the Falkland Islands after Argentina lost a war with Britain 30 years ago while trying to seize them.

Among the 33 Western Hemisphere's leaders, there is nearly unanimous support for Argentina's position.

The U.S. and Canadian stances on the islands drew criticism Thursday from Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro.

[SwinneySwitch]

Maybe he'll do the rope-a-dope?

[Maceman]

Maybe he'll do the rope-a-dope?

Which one is Obama? (Rhetorical question because he is obviously the dope.) Whatever happens at this summit, you can bet it won't be in the best interest of the United States.

[boomop1]

He don’t know nutin but Chicago.

[marron]

Its tough when you’re forced to pretend to support your country. You can bet his personal views are pretty much in line with Fernandez and Chavez on every one of these issues.

[RedMDer]

[Godwin1]

He doesn't “ have” to do anything for this gaggle of kleptcrats and failed whiners. Our immigration policy is none of their business. They all have drug problems in their own countries. Why on earth would we ever side with the treacherous, racist and politically goofy Argentines against the UK? Finally, why would a crowd that plays lip service to democracy be so anxious to include totalitarian Cuba in their club? There “Bama has his talking points.

[kearnyirish2]

“The American president...”

I stopped reading right there...

[jmax]

Colombia ???? Drug capitol of the world !!

He PROUDLY claimed he was a junkie and pusher in his books. Plus, the "accusation"(yeah...right...accusation) that he used to cruise around in the back seat of a limo with Larry Sinclair shooting dope and having sex with each other. Also, he refuses to release his medical records (which could show drug use), even issuing a Presidential Executive Order making it a federal crime if anyone releases it, and, his college records.

That said, I'll bet if Air Force One could be physically weighed, before arriving and after leaving Colombia, it would weigh a few kilo's more after takeoff, and his checkbook would weigh a little less.

[elpadre]

It is interesting that even though the USA has poured billions of dollars into the countries of Central and South America over probably 100 years, have protected them, educated their scholars in our universities, trained their armed forces, and on and on, yet their response has always been to thumb their noses at us. Anti-Americanism has always ruled the day in Lain America.

[elpadre]

It is interesting that even though the USA has poured billions of dollars into the countries of Central and South America over probably 100 years, have protected them, educated their scholars in our universities, trained their armed forces, and on and on, yet their response has always been to thumb their noses at us. Anti-Americanism has always ruled the day in Lain America.