Earlier this week in Washington…

US wary of Cuba issue ‘distracting’ Americas Summit

The United States, facing a clamour of calls to normalize ties with Cuba, does not want the prickly Cuban issue to dominate a summit of Western Hemisphere leaders next week, a senior US diplomat said…¹

Meanwhile, in the real Americas…

Obama faces pressure to ease Cuba restrictions

Barack Obama’s efforts to mend the battered US image in Latin America were overshadowed by heavy criticism of Washington’s policy towards Cuba as he arrived in Trinidad for his first major meeting in the region ²

Change of agenda?…

Raúl Castro: I’m willing to talk to U.S.

On the eve of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, Cuban President Raúl Castro declared Thursday that his government is willing to discuss ”everything” with Washington, including human rights, political prisoners and freedom of the press.

Castro said Havana has ‘’sent word to the U.S. government in private and in public” that it is open to talking about anything, as long as it’s “on equal terms” ³

OAS, U.S. warm up to Cuba after Raul Castro overture

The head of the Organization of American States said Friday that he will ask its members to readmit Cuba 47 years after they ousted the communist nation. And in another step toward improving relations, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Cuban President Raul Castro’s latest comments a “very welcome gesture” ⁴

U.S. policy to Cuba has ‘failed’: Clinton

U.S. policy toward Cuba has “failed,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday, as she welcomed an “overture” for wide-ranging talks from Cuban President Raul Castro.

“We are continuing to look for more productive ways going forward because President (Barack) Obama and I and the administration view the present policy to Cuba as having failed”, Clinton said ⁵

And then, there’s Hugo Chavez…

Chavez Tells Obama To “Wash His [Behind]”

Marxist Hugo Chavez wants desperately to insert himself into the conversation. In a recent speech Chavez attacked Obama and told him to go wash his ass⁶

Related articles:

1. While Latin American leaders bite, Obama keeps his cool at Fifth Summit
2. 5th Summit of the Americas: New leaders, fresh hopes and the question of Cuba
3. Castro: Easing of Cuba Restrictions ‘Positive’, But Not Nearly Enough
4. 5th Summit of the Americas: What’s not making the news on day two
5. US: White House confirms change in Cuban policy but trade embargo remains

Ashmita Maharaj · Goa, India

Born in Trinidad and currently residing in Goa, India, Ashmita Maharaj is a controversial Trinidadian and a ‘consummate West Indian’, with a fondness of cricket, CARICOM and Caribbean culture. She is currently the project lead of a sustainable livelihood programme in Orissa, one of India's poorest states.

ashmita@antillean.org