Obama’s ‘new model’ of US-Latin American ties

One of the most interesting things President Obama told me in a wide-ranging interview last week was something he mentioned almost in passing — that Latin America “is a key to US success.”

Was it a sign of a new era in US ties with Latin America? Or was it empty rhetoric aimed at pleasing neighbours and courting US Hispanic voters?

During the interview, which took place in El Salvador toward the end of Obama’s five-day Latin American tour, Obama indicated that Latin America is more important to the United States than it has ever been. The region buys