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

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