Foreign ministers from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe are meeting in Santiago de Chile prior to the First Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the European Union, which will take place January 26 and 27.

Heads of state and government from several countries beging to arrive in Santiago de Chile on Friday to participate at the First Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbbean States (CELAC) and the First CELAC-European Union Summit.

Russia's Vladimir Putin stressed Cuba's growing role in Latin American affairs and the island's pro-tempore presidency this year of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Telesur Latin American television will beam its real time and open signal to Cuba as of January 20 and for several a hours during the day.

Ecuador's Rafael Correa urged Barack Obama, who begins his second presidential term on Monday, to put down his double-standard policy towards Latin America.