Latin American countries had an “obligation to promote and defend” democracy in the region, US President George W. Bush said on Monday, in an effort to build momentum for US demands to toughen the Inter-American Charter.

Mr Bush's brief comments to the 35th general assembly of the Organisation of American States in Miami come amid resurgent anti-Americanism in the region, especially in Venezuela. The US president made no mention of the controversial issue of immigration reform.