The majority of delegations from the 34 nations coming to Trinidad and Tobago for the Fifth Summit of Americas will be doing so with Cuba very much on their mind.

A clear understanding is emerging that a discussion on Cuba-USA relations cannot be deferred at this summit as one of the very significant, if not the most politically sensitive issues for Latin America and the Caribbean.

If up to this past weekend President Barack Obama's senior advisers were still of a differing persuasion, then they need to update themselves and listen carefully to the governments of the hemisphere, including that of host Prime Minister Patrick Manning.