Attitude toward US in Latin America changing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says there is a changing attitude about the United States in Latin America as President Barack Obama heads to the region later this week.

Deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes says Obama is "hugely popular" in Latin America, and overall, the opinion of U.S. leadership there is on the rise. Rhodes says leaders in the region, like Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, can no longer stoke anti-American sentiment to promote their agendas.

Obama departs Washington late Friday for a five-day trip to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador.

The White House says the trip will underscore the deep partnership between the U.S. and Latin America, particularly on the economy. Obama aides have been promoting job creation in the U.S. as a benefit of increasing ties with the region.