Copied from AM Costa Rica:
Quote:
Latin nations congratulate selves on freedom from U.S.
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Latin American leaders welcomed Cuba and touted their independence from the United States during a two-day summit in Brazil that began Tuesday.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez remarked on Cuba's integration into the Rio Group Tuesday, saying the country's presence at the meeting is a strong signal that Latin America no longer answers to the United States.
Representatives from 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries gathered at the Costa do Sauipe resort in Bahia state.
The summit, which excludes the United States and Canada, is aimed at deepening economic and political ties in the region. Leaders also are working to bolster integration and
development as they look at ways to survive the economic crisis.
During Tuesday's meeting, several leaders blamed developing nations for the global economic crisis.
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, whose country recently defaulted on a foreign debt payment, called for a stronger regional development bank to deal with the credit crunch.
The heads of state of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay convened separately Monday for the Mercosur regional trade bloc meeting, which Cuban President Raúl Castro attended as a special guest.
Castro discussed his willingness to hold talks with incoming U.S. President-elect Barack Obama over the decades-old trade embargo against Cuba.
Bush praises Salvador ties
in meeting with its president
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
President George Bush has had what will likely be his last official meeting with the president of El Salvador. The two leaders stressed their countries' close historical ties.
Bush said he and President Elias Antonio Saca discussed free trade and fighting drug trafficking. Bush described President Saca as a close ally who has worked hard and invested resources for the benefit of the Salvadoran people.
Bush commended Mr. Saca for his efforts to stem the flow of drugs out of El Salvador. Bush said there must be a comprehensive approach to fighting drug trafficking, addressing supply and demand.
Saca noted the importance of the United States to his country's economy, as more than half of El Salvador's exports go to the United States. Remittances are critical to the country, accounting for billions of dollars each year.
El Salvador is one of five Central American nations to enter into a free-trade accord with the United States during Bush's second term.
Saca noted U.S.-Salvadoran ties were strengthened during the country's 12-year civil war. The United States provided military aide to successive Salvadoran governments that battled leftist rebels until 1992. Saca said ties with the United States have only grown stronger since then.
Bush particularly thanked Saca for his country's participation in the multinational coalition in Iraq, where El Salvador is Latin America's last remaining troop contributor.
At least there was no shoe throwing!
And praise the Lord for the shining star of US and Central American relations! Viva El Salvador!
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