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Has Obama lived up to promises in Latin America?

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    Importance of president's approval rating in region

  • Duration 3:43
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Welcome did Cartagena Colombia a side of this weekend's summit of the Americans.

There are ten heads of states here stay here as well as more than 250 CEOs from the US.

And Latin America.

I'll be moderating a panel at the summit tomorrow on natural resources and development.

-- Obama arrived here in Columbia just a few moments ago on a trip that mixes international relations.

With domestic politics.

President Obama rising -- -- facing a different environment in Latin America.

More skepticism and perhaps even disappointment in the US relationship with Latin American countries in the actions or lack thereof from Washington.

The president's first meeting with leaders in the region and Trinidad and Tobago three years ago.

Could not have gone better from the White House perspective the new president was treated as somewhat of a rock star.

He vowed to improve ties in the hemisphere.

Even with Cuba.

Recent poll numbers though seem to indicate people in Latin America don't think President Obama has lived up to his promises.

His job approval rating in -- took a dive since 2009.

From 62%.

To 47%.

In 2011.

In 2011 only 24% of those surveyed across Latin America believe relations will strengthen with President Obama in the US why does that matter.

Because analysts say it's not about popularity -- job approval it's about money.

And economic opportunity in one of the world's fastest growing trade regions.

Brazil for example is now the world's sixth largest economy and growing if you -- -- There don't.

-- export markets of the United States next year in terms of the ones that grew the most.

Seven of them -- an -- Luis Moreno is the president of the inter American development bank.

And also Colombia's former ambassador to the US.

Marino says well the US is obviously still very important.

China has steamrolled into the region with tons of money to take advantage of the increasing opportunities there.

To me the biggest export market today me old bubble -- for instance say he's done -- United States -- China.

I and his social to a -- have gone -- that GM -- and chancellor would be a case for us so.

There he sat I mean balancing between 2002009.

Trade between China and Latin America.

Grew more than 12100%.

From ten billion a year to more than 130.

Billion annually.

It's not just a competition for investment but it's also for influence and US influence may be waning.

One of the top agenda items at the summit is violence fueled by the drug trade.

Many in Latin America view the US war on drugs as a failure and some are actually pushing for decriminalization.

Of drugs something the US -- opposed to.

The economic boom in Latin America has not really made the drug war subside there.

Marino's home country of Colombia has been battling drug cartels for years.

It's made huge progress.

I promise you got now offer other countries in the region.

But I have to say I mean if you look at the statistics of the ten was -- violent countries in the world.

-- -- an epidemic the president according to senior raids will also be seeking to make more energy deals in the wake of high gas prices at home.

Something he talked about on -- previous trip to Brazil.

We want to work with the we want to help the technology and support to develop these oil reserves safely.

And when you're ready to start selling we want to be -- -- your best customers.

The president makes --

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