New independence

12-19-2008 |

Panama Star COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil. Latin American and Caribbean leaders called for the creation of a regional union that would exclude the U.S. and oppose outside interference on Wednesday at a summit hailed as a historic expression of independence. With 33 nations represented by heads of state or other top officials, it was the largest regional gathering of its kind that did not include the U.S. or a European power, and also marked the debut of Cuban President Raul Castro.