Meanwhile, Obama was en route Friday to Cartagena, Colombia, for the sixth annual Summit of the Americas with leaders from the Western Hemisphere to discuss the economy, trade, energy and regional security.

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Leaders of the 34 nations of the Western Hemisphere ended their fourth Summit of the Americas this weekend with no agreement to create a free trade zone for the region.

NPR: Latin America Summit Ends with No Free-Trade Zone

That is probably not a question you have ever asked yourself unless you are an American one of those people, that is, who live in the Americas, which sometimes go by the name of the western hemisphere.

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He has also said he would promote the role of U.S. charities and relief organizations in the region, maintain economic sanctions on Cuba, seek special negotiating authority to strike speedier trade deals with nations in the Western Hemisphere and establish a free-trade area for the Americas.

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And the recent hostage rescue simulation -- which used live ammunition and high-tech weapons -- was part of more than a year of training to prepare for the Summit of the Americas, which will draw 33 heads of state and government from across the Western Hemisphere to Cartagena, Colombia, this weekend.

CNN: Colombia steps up security for summit