Port of Spain  - US President Barack Obama arrived in Trinidad and Tobago Friday to take part in the Summit of the Americas.

This will be Obama's first major meeting with Latin American leaders, at a gathering in which Cuba will be the only country from the Americas without representation.

Obama travelled to Trinidad and Tobago from Mexico. While Trinidadians were looking forward to hosting the popular US president, the atmosphere was likely to be less congenial at the official meetings.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of US policy, has made it clear that he is not willing to accept Obama's offer of dialogue at face value. Chavez warned that the bloc of left-governed countries comprising Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras and Bolivia plans to reject the final declaration of the summit. (dpa)