While Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez might have called President Obama a “poor ignoramous” last month, he appears to be changing his tune — at least a little. At the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago last night, the South American leader had something very different to say about his U.S. counterpart:

“I think it was a good moment,” Chavez said about their initial encounter. “I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous U.S. president.”

OK, so he’s not calling him Einstein, but he isn’t calling him ignorant either.

In the meeting, Chavez gave Obama the Eduardo Galeano book, “The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent” (video after the jump…check out Chilean President Michelle Bachelet’s reaction when that happens). And if you’re wondering if Obama took the hint, not right away. AP reports that he thought Chavez was giving him his own book and wanted to give Huguito one of his, too. Oh, well. Understanding comes poco a poco.

Overall, Obama showed humility and a willingness to learn in his statements during the summit, which brings together 34 nations:

“I have a lot to learn and I very much look forward to listening and figuring out how we can work together more effectively,” Obama said. [...]

“We have at times been disengaged, and at times we sought to dictate our terms,” Obama said to loud applause. “But I pledge to you that we seek an equal partnership. There is no senior partner and junior partner in our relations.”

These statements were met with applause by attendee states leaders, perhaps in shock by the contrast between this U.S. president and the prior.

Also of note: Obama said he’s ready to sit down with Raul Castro whenever he likes.

What do you think? Will this apparent goodwill shown at the Summit translate into real changes in U.S.-Latin America relations?

Via / SFGate.com