It is a sad commentary on the Sixth Summit of the Americas, the triennial gathering of 34 heads of state from North, South and Central America, when the outcomes of the summit are overshadowed by the misbehavior of U.S. President Barack Obama's advance team and security detail.

Then again, even that commentary might be preferable to focusing on the deep disagreements that make plain the distance between Washington and most of its Latin American interlocutors.

Two issues dominated the meeting. The first was the ongoing exclusion of Cuba from the gathering. Most Latin governments prefer to have Cuba in attendance: After half a century, Cuban leader Fidel Castro has established himself as a regional player. His absence is a testimony to U.S. influence. More significantly, the U.S. policy of excluding Cuba has become a convenient tool with which to beat up Washington for its obstinacy.