What did he say to a leader who once likened his predecessor to the devil?
"I said 'como estas'", Obama told reporters with a laugh.
In an opening speech to the 34-nation gathering, the president promised a new agenda for the Americas, as well as a new style.
"We have at times been disengaged, and at times we sought to dictate our terms," Obama said to loud applause. "But I pledge to you that we seek an equal partnership. There is no senior partner and junior partner in our relations." MSNBC
Obama looks like he wants to move this meeting along. Chavez gives him a book:
The book, en ingles, is The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent, a 40-year-old essay and the best-known work of Uruguayan journalist and novelist Eduardo Galeano about U.S. and European economic and political interference in the region. Swamp
As they were lining up in reverse alpahbetical order by last name, Chavez was first. At this point, Obama walked across the room and introduced himself to Chavez, they chatted for a short time, and returned to line. When he returned to line he talkedwith President Bachelet of Chile and with President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Then Ortega walked into the room, past POTUS, and he stopped to introduce himself to POTUS. POTUS said it was is "gusto" - ie, pleasure - to meet him.
FYI, Chavez website says Chavez and POTUS talked about mutual desire to change the relationship of their countries. The senior administration official did not dispute this characterization.
