U.S. and Cuban officials met in Havana for new talks on restoring diplomatic ties, but their historic rapprochement was strained by tensions over Venezuela. 

Authorities in Ecuador confirmed the arrest of 68 citizens of that country in Honduras headed toward the United States. 

Several of the best-known names in the U.S. economy want to head to Cuba. 

Critics say the use of force was disproportionate and resulted in abuses and unnecessary deaths. 

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.