PORT OF SPAIN (AFP) - -
US President Barack Obama departed the weekend summit with Latin American leaders in Trinidad and Tobago after building up -- and then knocking down -- hopes of a breakthrough in US-Cuba relations.
Although Obama made the historic acknowledgement that Washington's half-century policy towards Cuba "hasn't worked," he said it would not be modified any time soon.
"We're not going to change that policy overnight," he told a news conference at the end of the gathering, which brought together 34 heads of state.
"Issues of political prisoners, freedom of speech and democracy are important, and can't simply be brushed aside," Obama said.
US President Barack Obama departed the weekend summit with Latin American leaders in Trinidad and Tobago after building up -- and then knocking down -- hopes of a breakthrough in US-Cuba relations.
Although Obama made the historic acknowledgement that Washington's half-century policy towards Cuba "hasn't worked," he said it would not be modified any time soon.
"We're not going to change that policy overnight," he told a news conference at the end of the gathering, which brought together 34 heads of state.
"Issues of political prisoners, freedom of speech and democracy are important, and can't simply be brushed aside," Obama said.
