From Cuba, history-laden trip takes Obama to Argentina

Buenos Aires: After bidding to turn the page on the Cold War in Cuba, President Barack Obama arrived early Wednesday in Argentina, where campaigners hope he will acknowledge US backing for its former dictatorship.

After calling for freedom and democracy as he stood alongside the Cuba`s Communist leaders, Obama has touched down in another Latin American nation with a history of delicate relations with Washington.

After a series of historic but at times awkward public appearances with Cuba`s Communist leader Raul Castro, Obama will on Wednesday meet Argentina`s new free market-friendly President Mauricio Macri.

Tuesday`s deadly bomb blasts in Brussels prompted Argentina to put its security forces on high alert as it prepared for Obama`s visit.

Macri has reached out to Washington and other foreign powers since taking office in December after years of combative relations under his leftist predecessors.

But the delicate issue of US involvement in Latin America`s violent history will rear its head during his visit to Buenos Aires -- after the Havana visit touched on sensitivities over human rights in Cuba.

On Thursday morning Obama will pay homage to victims of the "dirty war" by Argentina`s dictators against dissidents.

Thursday marks the 40th anniversary of the military coup that started the 1976-1983 dictatorship. Declassified documents have shown that top US officials backed the coup. Obama arrived in the wee hours of Wednesday with First Lady Michelle Obama, their two daughters and his mother in law and were received by Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra.

Later in the day he holds talks with Macri, lays a wreath at Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral and meets with local people before attending a state dinner.As well as becoming the first US president to visit Cuba in almost a century, Obama hopes to remake the United States` image in Latin America, tarnished by involvement in coups and death squads.

Obama`s administration said last week it would declassify military and intelligence records linked to Argentina`s "dirty war."

"We`re determined to do our part as Argentina continues to heal and move forward as one nation," said Obama`s National Security Advisor Susan Rice.