Latin American leaders congratulate Obama

Mexico City, Jan 21 (Xinhua) Latin American leaders have hailed the new US administration of Barack Obama.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon said he wished Obama 'the biggest success' and reaffirmed his commitment to 'working together with Obama to solve the problems between Mexico and the US'.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet called Obama's inauguration a 'historic event', noting that the new US president 'has awakened great expectations from the US people and also millions in the world at a very difficult moment of the US history'.

Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Garcia Belaunde hoped the Peru-US ties could be strengthened during Obama's administration, Peru's local radio RPP reported.

Ecuadorian Vice President Lenin Moreno, while wishing the US people and Obama 'big success', described Obama as 'a moderate, calm and intelligent man'.

Uruguay's President Tabare Vazquez sent Obama a congratulatory message wishing success to Obama.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who had been at odds with Bush, hoped that Obama could look at Latin America 'with a new view, with a new focus of respect toward the democracies and the changes.'

Speaking to his followers in the eastern state of Anzoategui, Chavez admitted that it had been difficult for Venezuela to improve its ties with the US.

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo hoped his country's ties with the US could be secured especially in the economic field, according to Paraguayan Foreign Minister Alejandro Hamed.

Argentine Chief of Cabinet Sergio Massa said Obama's inauguration 'opened an era of hope and great expectations' in the world, especially for the Latin America-US ties.

Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the US Tuesday, becoming the first African-American head of state in the country's history.