Chile has been an exemplary model of democracy, social and political stability and economic growth in a region otherwise known for debt faults [Argentina], excessive constitutional rewriting [Bolivia and Ecuador provide recent examples], and emerging, unrestrained tyranny [Venezuela].

Chile - along with Columbia, Brazil, Uruguay, and a whole host of other Latin American nations - has chosen to chart its own course of embracing globalization rather than going down the path of statism.

Even Chile’s left-wing governments are praiseworthy. Successive socialist - in name only - governments have signed free trade deals with half of the world.

[The Long-Living Tyrant. Wikipedia.]

Although Chile is keen on bucking many of the current trends in the region, it also is keen on making it clear that Chile is a part of the region: a proud Latin American nation.

It was with this in mind that Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet embarked to Cuba for a friendly visit in the hopes of reviving relations between the two nations that have soured since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. This was the first visit by a Chilean leader since at least 1959. It was controversial among Chileans, who opposed the trip.

Ms. Bachelet made the naive mistake of trusting authoritarian demagogues like the Castro brothers to engage in good faith. Fidel Castro - it seems - could not find a better opportunity than during Ms. Bachelet’s visit to announce his support for Bolivia’s [another leftist government going down Cuba’s path] claim to a part of Chile’s coastline that was conquered from Bolivia in a 19th century war.

Such a public declaration while Ms. Bachelet was on the island and photographed with the Castro brothers caused predictable negative vibrations back home. It was proof, many Cubans thought, that the trip was a bad idea in the first place.

The foreign minister was since resigned.

Raul Castro has been relatively [emphasize on the word] more moderate than his inflexible brother, but even he has yet to do much in the way of substance. This event is an illustration, or should be, to the Obama administration that a good faith effort to repair relations with Cuba may not be reciprocated by the Castro brothers.