Officials from Cuba will attend the Summit of the Americas this week in Panama. The summit bringstogether the leaders of countries in North America,Central America, South America and the Caribbean. This is the first time Cuba has been invited to themeetings.
United States officials say President Barack Obama plans to talk with Cuban President Raúl Castro at the summit. It will be the first time the two men have spoken since Mr. Obama announced plans to re-establish full diplomatic relations between their countries.
President Obama says he welcomes Cuba’s participation at the conference.
“Our shift in policy toward Cuba comes at a moment of renewed leadershipin the Americas. This April, we are prepared to have Cuba join the othernations of the hemisphere at the Summit of the Americas.”
Obama administration officials hope that by welcoming Cuba to the summit, the United States will rebuild its leadership role in Latin America. Experts say the U.S. position has suffered because of economic weakness and the area’s increasing involvement with China and other countries.
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President Obama to Meet Cuban President in Panama |
U.S. measures targeting Cuba’s Communist government have been an issuein Latin American countries for many years. At the 2012 Summit of theAmericas, some Latin American leaders criticized the U.S. decision to barCuba from the meetings.
Michael Shifter heads the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C. Hesays the invitation to Cuba to attend the summit in Panama is a majordevelopment.
“It has enormous symbolism, over the last 50 years as the country that has been isolated by the United States, squeezed by the United States and nottreated as a sovereign nation. So for Latin Americans, that’s very, veryimportant.”
But not everyone supports the Obama administration’s decision to seek full diplomatic relations with Cuba. And some critics say Cuba’s participation in the summit hurts democracy in Latin America.
The United States still includes Cuba on a list of countries that supportterrorism. President Obama wants Cuba to be taken off the list, but he has not yet announced when that will happen.
I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.
VOA White House Correspondent Luis Ramirez reported this story.Christopher Jones-Cruise wrote it for VOA Learning English. George Growwas the editor.
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Words in This Story
participation – n. the act of being involved with others in doing something ortaking part in an activity or event
shift – n. a change in how something is done or how people think aboutsomething
renewed – adj. describing a new beginning, especially one with more force orenthusiasm
hemisphere – n. a half of the Earth
enormous – adj. very great in size or amount
symbolism – n. the particular idea or quality that is expressed by a symbol
isolated – adj. separate from others
squeeze(d) – v. (informal) to force (someone) to give you something or to dosomething, by using threats or pressure
sovereign – adj. having independent authority and the right to govern itself
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