LatAm leaders reflect on the Inauguration

Numerous Latin American government leaders spoke out in the hours after Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the U.S. Here are what some of them had to say:

• Mexican President Felipe Calderon- who met with Obama last week- wished the incoming president the best of luck in tackling problems related to immigration, security, and the waning economy.
• As the AP noted, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez advised that Obama "looks to Latin America with a new view, with a new focus of respect toward the democracies and the changes" in the region.
• Nicaraguan Foreign Relations Minister Samuel Santos expressed hope that Obama will have a “more just and equitable attitude” towards nations of the world including Cuba.
• Costa Rican president Oscar Arias invited Obama to visit the Central American country which he called “an oasis of peace, tolerance, freedom, and democracy.”
• Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was hopeful that the new regime would look at Latin America and the Caribbean with “a democratic and developing vision.”
• The most colorful quote came from Paraguayan vice president Federico Franco; in reference to the global economic crisis, Franco wished Obama luck despite having to “dance with the ugliest girl” at the ball.
  

Image- AP (“President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha, left, and Malia wave after Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Wilson, Pool).”)
Online Sources- Folha Online, El Pais (Costa Rica), El Espectador, ABC Digital, milenio.com, AP, Reuters