| | |  Editorials | Issues | January 2009 
Latin America's Cautious Hopes for Obama Change
 Agence France-Presse
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| | "No-one here holds any illusions. This is the North American empire we're talking about," said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. | |
Mexico City - Latin Americans expressed hope Tuesday that new US President Barack Obama would improve US relations with the region, but many said they did not expect major changes.
While descendants of Africans in Colombia played drums and let off fireworks, US allies Mexico and Costa Rica expressed congratualions, and leftist nations from Cuba to Venezuela gave more measured reactions.
The United States under former president George W. Bush faced growing challenges from leftwing governments in the region, especially from Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador.
"No-one here holds any illusions. This is the North American empire we're talking about," said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, one of the region's most outspoken US critics, in reference to possible change under Obama.
Chavez nonetheless welcomed the departure of president George W. Bush, who he once called the "devil."
In neighboring ally Cuba, the Communist Party newspaper Granma said it was time for Obama to carry out his election promises.
"The moment has arrived from today to carry out the hopes of change that made up the main message and the electoral promises of the triumphant candidate," wrote former diplomat Ramon Sanchez-Parodi.
Obama has declared himself open to dialogue with Cuba, ditching the stance of his predecessor, who refused to speak with leaders of the Americas' only one-party communist government.
But Sanchez-Parodi underlined that the deteriorating world economy would affect Obama's plans, and warned that the US establishment would oppose change which affected its interests.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon wished "the greatest success" to Obama and said he was confident the new US leader would work to overcome the financial crisis to, in turn, help Mexico, with which it has very close ties.
"I know that in as far as he (Obama) gets the United States out of its economic problem, in that way it will also help Mexicans," Calderon said.
Further south, Argentina's government said it hoped Obama in the White House would result in Washington forging new relations with it and the rest of Latin America.
Obama's government represents "the possibility of launching a new stage in relations of the United States with the region -- a big hope," said the cabinet chief of staff, Sergio Massahe.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias invited Obama to visit his country first when he decides to visit the region, calling the Central American nation "an oasis of peace, tolerance, freedom and democracy."
Neighboring Panama said Obama had already given positive signs that relations would improve with the region.
These signs "were not seen in previous transition periods" with Washington, said Vice President and Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro. |
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