Latam defense ministers urge end to U.S. embargo against Cuba

[Jimmy2]

Associated Press

SANTIAGO, Chile -- South American defense ministers urged the United States on Tuesday to end its nearly 50-year economic and travel embargo against Cuba.

While the communist country once fomented revolution in many Latin American countries, the defense ministers have joined political leaders from those nations in labeling the U.S. policy outdated and unproductive.

The issue wasn't on the agenda for the inaugural meeting of the South American Defense Council, which was formed by 12 nations to create a multilateral forum for defense issues.

But it was brought up by Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim.

''A key element for the United States to have a better relationship with South America is a change in its policy toward Cuba,'' said Jobim, and several of his colleagues immediately agreed.

Cuba may have threatened U.S. security during the Cold War, but ''it now poses no risk whatsoever,'' said Uruguay Defense Minister Jose Bayardi.

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration offers the best hope in decades for Cuba's return to the Organization of American States after it was expelled nearly 50 years ago, said Argentine Defense Minister Nilda Garre.

''Today, we see favorable conditions with the new president in the United States to put an end to this discriminatory and unjust situation,'' she said. ``This is a pending issue in our region.''