The U.S. State Department said that the United States “is not promoting social instability in Venezuela,” nor trying to undermine its economy. 

Cuban President Raúl Castro’s recent comments (that before full diplomatic relations can be established with the U.S. it must lift the trade embargo on the island, pay compensation for damages done to the country, and return the Guantánamo military base) should be “taken with a pinch of salt.” 

Cuba’s Raúl Castro celebrated the thaw with the U.S. but stood firm during his speech in Costa Rica; observers noted, however, that Cuba and the U.S. could be catching a glimpse of a possible future. 

Brazilians thought that a Democratic president would be different from a Republican as far as U.S.-Latin American relations were concerned.  

The issue of Puerto Rican independence came up unexpectedly at the CELAC summit in San José, Costa Rica. 

Now that emotions are settling down, it is clear to some observers that there are both threats and opportunities in the resumption of U.S.-Cuban relations, but there is no doubt that “it won’t be easy.”  Things are off to a promising start with the release of the Cuban dissidents. 

Among the goals that the Foreign Trade Ministry wants to pursue is an agreement between the Mercosur bloc and the European Union. 

Major international news agencies couldn’t help but notice the “frosty” atmosphere in the meeting between the Presidents of the United States and Mexico. 

The U.S. passed legislation imposing sanctions on Venezuelan government officials it said violated protesters’ rights during demonstrations earlier this year.  In response the G77 and China condemned the sanctions and called for their repeal.  For his part, Venezuelan President Maduro said “Obama does not understand what is happening in our region and to our peoples.” 

Mujica’s involvement as a mediator started over a year ago in Havana, moved on to Washington and became instrumental at the G77 Summit in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.