CARTAGENA, colombia — Putting an election year spin on his international agenda, President Barack Obama on Friday cast Latin America’s rapid rise as a business opportunity for the U.S. economy. On his way to a regional summit in Colombia, he told voters in Florida, “While I’m in Colombia talking with other leaders, I’m going to be thinking about you.”
Obama’s stop in Florida, a crucial state in the election, underscored White House efforts to keep the president’s three-day trip to the Summit of the Americas focused on the economy, the top issue for voters.
If some Latin American leaders get their way, Obama will be forced to engage on issues such as Washington’s strained relationship with Cuba.
“I think that the United States has to turn around and really look at Latin America with greater responsibility,” said Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina on Friday.
Air Force One touched down in the port city of Cartagena Friday afternoon. Obama was greeted at the airport by several Colombian dignitaries and the U.S. ambassador to Colombia.
The president was joining more than 30 other regional leaders for a dinner Friday night at the base of Cartagena’s historic Spanish fortress, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.
Also Friday, a dozen Secret Service agents with Obama at the summit were relieved of duty because of allegations of misconduct.
The Associated Press received an anonymous tip that the misconduct involved prostitutes in Cartagena. A Secret Service spokesman would neither confirm nor deny the allegation.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said the allegations of misconduct were related to activity before Obama’s arrival.
