the Caribbean hosts South America’s future

By teZa Lord | April 20, 2009 |

angelos en el cemetario de Buenos Aires--angels in Buenas Aires cemetary

marcela, an angel-yoga teacher in Buenos Aires

it was a pleasure to see Obama smoozing with all those black-suits and two sets of red power-suited women heads of state, in Trinidad this week. instead of not relating, Obama’s head-on method is to meet and greet everyone, even Hugo Chavez (Venezuela) and Evo Morales (Bolivia), the two heads of state that have uncomfortably close ties to Castro’s Cuba, which was the only country not represented at this meeting.

perhaps things will open up with cuba? people are wondering what action will come next? I think Obama’s unloosening the previous Bush-imposed restrictions is a wonderful first step. Using the embargo as a “trump card” for future negotiations is what diplomatic relations are made of, and Obama is no slouch when it comes to extending his hand, even to previously-thought of enemies of democracy. Three cheers for Barack!

Seeing the two women heads of state, Christine Kirchner of Argentina and Michelle Bachelet of Chile, made me think of the synchronicity of life. Isn’t it bizarre that these are the two countries i’ve just come back from visiting, among so many in South America? Situated side by side, Chile and Argentina, headed by females, are powerful countries and it will be interesting to see how the two women’s different governments take the next steps necessary in democratizing that area of the world even more. From previously oppressive dictatorships to newly declared capitalist democracies, Argentina and Chile will be watched closely by all in the world.

Here’s a few shots from our recent trip through the Andes, which forms the border between these two important places. Such magnificent scenery…if only the hearts of humanity could be as heart-warming as the majesty of the mountains…and as rock-sure steadfast.