South America's presidents gather in Brazil for first regional summit in 9 years
South America’s leaders will gather in Brazil’s capital on Tuesday as part of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s attempt to reinvigorate regional integration efforts that have in the past floundered amid the continent’s political swings and polariza... BRASILIA, Brazil -- South America's leaders will gather in Brazil's capital on Tuesday as part of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's attempt to reinvigorate regional integration efforts that have previously floundered amid the continent's political swings and polarization. Analysts say Lula senses an opportunity for integration because of the political affinities of the region’s current governments and appears to want to test leaders' willingness to cooperate through a revived Union of South American Nations, or Unasur. Lula said at a news conference Monday that the leaders should discuss cooperation in energy and crime-fighting, and suggested he might consider floating the idea of a regional currency to cha...