April 19 (Bloomberg) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said cordial meetings between U.S. President Barack Obama and Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez have opened opportunities to improve the two countries’ relations.

Speaking to reporters today at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Lula said Obama got a “crash course” in Latin America during the meetings. He said the next summit shouldn’t take place without Cuba’s involvement.

To contact the reporter on this story: Helen Murphy in Port-of-Spain at Hmurphy1@bloomberg.net; Joshua Goodman in Port-of-Spain at jgoodman19@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: April 19, 2009 13:01 EDT