In today’s program Cristina Escobar interviews Carlos Akira de la Puente, professor and researcher for the Center of Hemispheric Studies of the University of Havana with a specialty in U.S. – Latin American relations. The analyst views Cuba’s participation in the 7th Summit of the Americas as especially important due to changes in the region and the role that Cuba has historically played in promoting cooperation and exchanges with several of the member countries. In this interview he touches on the new multilateral system in the region in which several countries are implementing policies that do not perpetuate the traditional subordination to the United States or policies that have distanced and excluded Cuba from Latin America. He then comments on possible motives for the recent United States disparagement of Venezuela precisely at the time of a proposed normalization of relations with Cuba and suggests that the concern of the United States may be to recover the space it has lost in the region, minimizing any challenge or threat to its return. The conversation continues regarding pressure exerted by ultra conservative politicians in the U.S.; the issue of hegemony and counter-hegemony; misconceptions regarding the term “civil society,” the reconstruction of alliances; the need for dialogue; the manipulation of the issue of human rights by the U.S.; important gains made by Cuba; and opportunities offered by the Summit for taking positive steps forward. teleSUR