Spain Foreign Relations Latin America

With Cuban President Fidel Castro a disapproving bystander, the nations of Iberia and Latin America agreed here Friday to a liberal agenda of political, economic and social goals aimed at carving a Latin niche in a world dramatically changed by the collapse of communism.

The Spaniards are back. Their return has been called "the reconquest." It is the latest stage in the remarkable evolution of the complex, intense and increasingly lucrative relationship between Spain and its former Latin American colonies. Here in Venezuela's capital, banker Juan Carlos Zorrilla is the new face of Spain.

The Spaniards are back. Their return has been called "the reconquest." It is the latest stage in the remarkable evolution of the complex, intense and increasingly lucrative relationship between Spain and its former Latin American colonies. Here in Venezuela's capital, banker Juan Carlos Zorrilla is the new face of Spain.

With Cuban President Fidel Castro a disapproving bystander, the nations of Iberia and Latin America agreed here Friday to a liberal agenda of political, economic and social goals aimed at carving a Latin niche in a world dramatically changed by the collapse of communism.

More than 20 Latin American presidents are expected to attend a summit conference Thursday and Friday in the Spanish capital underlining their countries' ties to Spain 500 years after Columbus sailed to the Indies. Most of the presidents will represent democratic governments, but the list also includes authoritarian presidents: old-timer Fidel Castro of Cuba and neophyte Alberto Fujimori of Peru.

More than 20 Latin American presidents are expected to attend a summit conference Thursday and Friday in the Spanish capital underlining their countries' ties to Spain 500 years after Columbus sailed to the Indies. Most of the presidents will represent democratic governments, but the list also includes authoritarian presidents: old-timer Fidel Castro of Cuba and neophyte Alberto Fujimori of Peru.