There was a time when presidential summits were the “big event.” The media would travel far and wide to cover the meeting of world leaders, push and shove to get the best shots and try to score an exclusive interview or an awkward news-making moment. But these days, the all-important summits rarely go beyond formalities and protocol or make the front pages and the evening newscasts. World leaders gather for the photo op, to sign nonbinding declarations on peace, promise better employment scenarios and agree to rid the world of all evils.
The 20th Rio Group Summit, hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, wasn’t supposed to be any different, but it was. Its preplanned agendas on Latin America’s energy needs fell by the wayside when a week earlier the incursion of Colombian forces into Ecuadorian territory to capture and kill Raul Reyes -- one of the top leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, known as the FARC -- created a crisis in the region.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez fueled the crisis by breaking diplomatic relations with Colombia and ordering thousands of troops to the border. As if playing follow-the-leader in the name of the so-called Socialism of the 21st Century, Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega also broke off relations with Colombia.
By the time the Latin American leaders reached Santo Domingo, sparks were flying, and accusations and
counteraccusations threatened an all-out war in the Andean region. The beating of the war drums by Chavez and the highly inflamed rhetoric of Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa and Chavez had placed Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and his country in a precarious position. Then, during the summit, a tense exchange between the main parties kept those of us who were following it glued to the television set.
While Uribe declared that Correa was protecting FARC terrorists on Ecuadorian soil and even received dirty money to fund his campaign, Correa shot back: “I cannot accept Uribe’s lies. These hands are not tainted with blood.” Uribe countered that the FARC had launched more than 40 attacks into Colombia from Ecuadorian territory since 2004. Unfazed, Correa warned Dominicans that if Uribe thinks there is a Raul Reyes (the senior FARC figure killed by Colombia) in Santo Domingo, he will come in and bomb it too. Not to be outdone, Uribe responded: “If that were to happen, we’d surely get assistance from that country’s government. Don’t fall into the cynicism of the old communists,” he told Correa.
The presidents of Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Honduras all tried to pacify the heated arguments by proposing a peaceful agreement between the vociferous antagonists. Even Chavez weighed in and tried to mediate, warning that if the rhetoric continued, “things could get heated.”
But it was Leonel Fernandez, the Dominican president and host of the summit, who became the voice of reason: “What all of us would like is for this meeting to end with a hug and a handshake between the presidents in this conflict.”
It was then when, in front of a stunned audience, Uribe stood from his chair, walked across the room and reached out to shake Correa’s hand while giving him a pat on the back. Uribe then went on to give Chavez a hug and even included Daniel Ortega in the lovefest. In a matter of minutes, all was forgotten and forgiven, and the sparring leaders became buddies and good neighbors -- for now.
Colombia’s Uribe courageously admitted, “With the commitment of never attacking a brother country again and by asking forgiveness, we can consider this very serious incident resolved.” And it seems like almost everyone ended up with a small victory or concession. Chavez was portrayed by his country’s media as the great mediator who even got Uribe to withdraw condemnations in the international courts. Daniel Ortega came away with a promise by Colombia to respect The Hague International Court’s decision on Nicaragua’s claim to some disputed islands. But of course it was Leonel Fernandez who was crowned as the Prince of Peace.
That was not exactly the scenario that Ecuador’s Correa had envisioned. He went into the summit playing the role of victim and ended up looking like a sore loser. On the other hand, what was expected to be another boring but important summit ended up as a presidential gathering for the history books.

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(Maria Elena Salinas is the author of “I AM MY FATHER’S DAUGHTER: LIVING A LIFE WITHOUT SECRETS.” Reach her at www
.mariaesalinas.com)
© 2008 by Maria Elena Salinas
Distributed by King Features Syndicate