President Obama said yesterday he saw “potential positive signs” of better relations with Cuba and Venezuela, but said Havana must give its people more political freedom.
ANALYSIS: THIS TIME AROUND, THEY LOVE THE US
Speaking after attending the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, Obama called on Cuba to release political prisoners, embrace democratic freedoms and cut fees on the money that Cuban-Americans send back to their families.
“For the past few days, we’ve seen potential positive signs in the nature of the relationship between the United States, Cuba and Venezuela,” he said.
“We’re going to explore and see if we can make progress,” he added, noting that Cuban leader Raul Castro said he was willing to talk about political prisoners and human rights.
“I do believe that the signals sent so far provide at least an opportunity for frank dialogue on a range of issues, including critical issues of democracy and human rights.”
But he added, “The test for all of us is not simply words, but also deeds.”
Obama appeared to have mended fences in a region where ex-President George W. Bush was unpopular.
Although he had to parry questions about lifting the US trade embargo on Cuba — and on Friday, endure a 50-minute diatribe from Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on what he called terrorist US aggression in Central America — Obama’s diplomatic style went down well.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the summit created a chance for a new era in relations between the US and Latin America.
Controversial Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close ally of Cuba, shook Obama’s hand and told him twice, “I want to be your friend,” he said.
Even before he got back to Washington, the president was condemned by some Republicans for shmoozing Chavez.
He brushed that aside, noting that Venezuela has a defense budget about one-six-hundredth the size of the United States’ and owns the oil company Citgo.
“It’s unlikely that as a consequence of me shaking hands or having a polite conversation with Mr. Chavez that we are endangering the strategic interests of the United States,” he said.
Obama said he is “strengthening our hand” by reaching out to enemies of the United States.
Post Wire Services