PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - Saturday’s Summit of the Americas was one for the books.
Just as President Barack Obama’s morning meeting with South American leaders was about to start, up popped Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
He ceremoniously presented the U.S. 
leader with a book along with a big handshake, their second or third of the summit, but then who’s counting.
The book was “Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina” (The Open Veins of Latin America) by Eduardo Galeano, a 1970s-era criticism of 500 years of European and U.S. economic exploitation of the Americas.
Asked later what he thought about the tome, Obama quipped: “I thought it was one of Chavez’s. I was going to give him one of mine.”
The U.S. president never produced a copy of his book — but one of the other leaders did.
As they gathered for the summit family picture, Saint Lucia Prime Minister Stephenson King produced a copy of “Dreams from My Father,” which Obama then autographed.
No book for Chavez, though he did exchange another big handshake with Obama, his third or fourth of the summit, but then who’s counting.
For more Reuters political news, click here.
Photo credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque (Chavez presents Obama with a book — and a handshake)
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3 comments so far
did america’s apologiser-in-chief also remond his hosts that, despite american interference and the monroe doctrine, their sovereignty was due to that same interference? might he have avuncularly counseled them to look in the mirror to see their greatest challenges, and to eschew blameshifting, sour grapes, and the professional victim role?
- Posted by jdperhaps you and all other naysayers (never pleased - always a negative spin on even the most positive - never giving credit where credit due - never admitting job well done) should practice what you preach - look in your own mirror. again, whiners whine for sport.
- Posted by eloiseNot being an Obama supporter because I don’t believe in his policies or world view, I will usually take an opposing view to most things he does.
This is a big one. And it is a big mistake. He is already being used for propaganda purposes. Also, if you missed it, some of the dictators are already playing hardball with him because he is showing weakness.
So, it isn’t whining to care about wanting to survive as a nation. Different opinion than someone else? Of course, but I am not confident this won’t lead to a bigger catastrophy for us. But that’s just my opinion. Eloise.
- Posted by TC