by Stephen Lendman

On Saturday, the 7th annual Summit of the Americas concluded in Panama - a longtime US colony. Cuba participated for the first time since the inaugural 1994 event in Miami.

Obama met Cuba's President Raul Castro - the first meeting between a US president and Cuban leader since the 1950s. More on this below.

Obama wants Washington's regional imperial grip tightened - unchallenged like since the early 19th century.

Hugo Chavez once said "the American empire is doing all it can to consolidate its system of domination."

"(W)e cannot allow them to do that. We cannot allow world dictatorship…"

"What type of democracy do you impose with marines and bombs?"

America "doesn't want peace. It wants to (expand) its system of exploitation, of pillage, of hegemony (worldwide) through war."

On Friday, thousands of Venezuelans officially presented up to 11 million anti-imperial signatures - collected through a petition denouncing Obama declaring Venezuela an "extraordinary threat (to US) national security and imposing illegal sanctions on its targeted officials.

President Nicholas Maduro called the petition proof of "the history of the people of Simon Bolivar…evoked, and it remains awake and alert."

"Venezuela is not alone," he stressed. He presented the petition symbolically to Summit of the America's participants. He intends sending it to Washington through diplomatic channels.

World leaders cannot "remain silent" about Washington's treatment of Venezuela, he stressed.

This weekend was the first time all 35 regional presidents attended a Summit of the Americas.

The Havana Times hailed the "historic (Obama/R. Castro) handshake" - explaining profound differences between both countries remain.

Obama insulted Cuba. He met privately with Manuel Cuesta Morua and Laritza Diversen - dissidents Havana calls US-sponsored anti-government "mercenaries."

A day before Summit of America leaders convened, about 2,000 activists participated in an alternative event in Panama - stressing solidarity against Washington's longstanding regional imperial grip.

Last December, Obama lied saying Washington "is changing its relationship with the people of Cuba."

Call it business as usual wrapped in smiles and handshakes. US imperial policy remains unchanged - in Latin America, the Caribbean and worldwide.

Washington alone supports boycotting Cuba. Over half a century of sanctions are illegal.

They have no legitimacy whatever. US policy makers use them with disturbing regularity.

So-called softening US/Cuban relations comes at the same time Congress passed the 2014 Venezuela Defense of Human and Civil Society Act - by voice vote in both houses unanimously.

It imposed illegitimate sanctions on Venezuelan officials. Obama added more unilaterally when he outrageously declared Venezuela a threat to US national security.

It represents the threat of a good example only - one vitally needed worldwide against America's imperial agenda.

It includes endless wars of conquest and domination, subjugating millions wanting to live free.

In demonizing Venezuela, the world's leading human rights abuser targeted one of its staunchest defenders.

Longstanding US policy targets all independent nations with regime change.

Thaw in US/Cuban relations appears more mirage than real. Washington wants unchallenged control over its former client state.

It wants its independent government toppled. It wants its freedom crushed. It wants its resources and people exploited.

Reestablishing diplomatic relations opens Cuba to greater than ever infestation of CIA and other hostile US elements.

The State Department funded National Endowment of Democracy (NED) and other US imperial organizations already support anti-Cuban groups wanting regime change by any means possible.

Obama's so-called outreach changes nothing. In retirement, 88-year-old Fidel Castro is the world's preeminent elder statesman.

Last year he said "(g)lobal society has known no peace in recent years."

Longstanding US imperial policy threatens Cuba "militarily." It's brazenly dishonest.

It serves monied interests exclusively. Rule of law principles and democratic rights are verboten.

Obama lied claiming Washington intends "develop(ing) a new relationship" with Cuba.

Why Cuba? Why now? Why at the same time he was caught red-handed plotting coup d'etat in Venezuela?

Why when US/Russian relations are worse than any time during the Cold War - when open conflict between both countries is possible?

Why when America's homeland police state apparatus targets outspoken anti-war/human rights activists repressively?

Why when Obama is systematically raping Yemen? When he straightaway breached agreed on Iran nuclear program framework terms ahead of a final deal?

Why when nothing indicates a change in longstanding US policy - endless wars for unchallenged global dominance?

Conflicts giving Western corporate predators license to plunder subjugated nations and exploit their people ruthlessly.

A final declaration didn't follow conclusion of this year's Summit of the Americas.

Washington and Ottawa opposed including references to strengthening collective rights.

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said "no agreement (was reached) on several points, and as a result this summit will not have a final document."

He called US and Canadian intransigence a "shame." They opposed inclusion of clauses all other 33 countries supported.

They irresponsibly asserted their imperial arrogance. They demand their rights override all others.

"We oppose the interference of foreign countries in the internal affairs of other countries," Timerman stressed.

Obama and Maduro met one-on-one at the summit. "We told each other the truth," Maduro said.

Every regional country opposes US policy toward Venezuela. "We are in an era of new history," Maduro told summit participants.

US policy is out-of-step, out-of-date and hardline. Nothing indicates positive change.

Longstanding Yankee imperial business as usual continues. Endless wars on humanity remain official US policy.

-###-

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs