PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad—President Barack Obama is extending a friendly hand -- literally -- to America's neighbors in the Western Hemisphere.

At a summit in Trinidad, Obama is offering a new beginning for U.S.-Cuba relations and even exchanging greetings with Venezuela's leftist president.

Venezuela's Hugo Chavez once likened former President George W. Bush to the devil. But on Saturday morning, Chavez shook Obama's hand, patted him on the shoulder and gave him a book about Latin America's exploitation by foreign powers.

Obama is at the Summit of the Americas discussing energy, security and other issues with other leaders.

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