A view from the Summit: A warm kiss

UPDATE, Sunday April 15
Summit of the Americas update: Hillary ties one on

Obama is now in Colombia for the Summit of the Americas,

but before he arrived, Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos was urging him to focus on Latin America. Hardly surprising, considering how Obama wasted the North American Summit with Canada and Mexico by derailing the press conference to talk about Obamacare. One could say that Nobody is dancing the “Hope & Change” in Latin America anymore.

Also before he got there, U.S. Secret Service agents leave Colombia over prostitution inquiry

Edwin Donovan, an agency spokesman, said that an unspecified number of agents have been recalled and replaced with others, stressing that Obama’s security has not been compromised because of the change. Obama arrived in Cartagena on Friday afternoon for this weekend’s Summit of the Americas, a gathering of 33 of the hemisphere’s 35 leaders to discuss economic policy and trade.

Donovan declined to disclose details about the nature of the alleged misconduct. But Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, said the accusations relate to at least one agent having involvement with prostitutes in Cartagena.

I’m actually puzzled as to what is going on. An “unspecified number” recalled, because of “at least one agent”?

Adler said the entire unit was recalled for purposes of the investigation.

Was this a set-up? Protectus interruptus?

At the Summit, the Latin Americans want to discuss two things,

The twin issues — the pros and cons of drug legalization and Cuba’s continued exclusion from the summit — were expected to dominate the agenda of the Summit of the Americas, highlighting the growing disconnect between Washington and an increasingly assertive and independent Latin American bloc led by powerhouse Brazil.
…
The hemispheric leaders were also to tackle regional integration, reducing poverty and inequality, combating transnational crime and increased access to technology.

But uppermost in their minds will be whether to rethink the fight against drugs, which are creating havoc across the region.

As of yesterday, Hugo Chavez wasn’t sure if he’ll attend, which will deprive Obama of another photo op and maybe some reading material (remember 2009?),

but today’s photo shows that Obama greeted Santos warmly

.

(Click on photo to enlarge.)

UPDATE,
Hugo’s not going.

Update 2: At Americas summit, Obama says no to legalizing drugs
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and others want to talk about what they call the failed war on drugs, as President Obama tries to focus on economic ties.

Linked by Instapundit. Thanks!