US holds potential game-changing cards at Americas summit
- 9 years ago
The 7th Summit of the Americas, to be held in Panama City, Panama, this Friday and Saturday, has been cited as historic and problematic.
Cuba is attending for the first time, yet divisions among the countries in Latin America abound.
President Juan Carlos Varela, who plays host, said:
“The message America sends from this summit is very important. We are ready to set aside ideological and political differences and focus on the welfare of the people of this continent. I think that there is a closeness, and we support President Obama and Castro for their efforts to re-establish diplomatic ties.”
Since the famous handshake between Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro, at Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013, there has been more progress. Now the US leader is expected to meet the revolutionary statesman Fidel Castro for the first time, officially.
Many allies will celebrate a mending of Cuba-US ties, as they have pushed for it for years. But for Cuban dissidents, it’s a slap in th
Cuba is attending for the first time, yet divisions among the countries in Latin America abound.
President Juan Carlos Varela, who plays host, said:
“The message America sends from this summit is very important. We are ready to set aside ideological and political differences and focus on the welfare of the people of this continent. I think that there is a closeness, and we support President Obama and Castro for their efforts to re-establish diplomatic ties.”
Since the famous handshake between Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro, at Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013, there has been more progress. Now the US leader is expected to meet the revolutionary statesman Fidel Castro for the first time, officially.
Many allies will celebrate a mending of Cuba-US ties, as they have pushed for it for years. But for Cuban dissidents, it’s a slap in th