Obama buildup sweeps Trinidad and Tobago

Obama-mania has struck Trinidad and Tobago like a storm - though the Caribbean nation is set to host 34 country leaders from across the Americas, residents only seem to care about United States President Barack Obama.

'I would like to shake his hand,' said a Trinidadian, named Shanti McKenzie. McKenzie was dressed in a T-shirt with Obama's face. 'It's a good thing that he's coming,' she said. 'I wish he was our new prime minister here.' Like many of her compatriots, McKenzie is convinced that Obama 'will be a great change' for Latin America and the Caribbean.

'I hope he can also bring a change in Trinidad,' she gushed. Shanti McKenzie made her way toward the centre of Port of Spain, stopping at some of the many street stands selling all kinds of Obama-themed souvenirs.

Arestes Belford is selling more up-to-date membrane, including photographs with the coats of arms of Trinidad and the United States and a reference to the Summit of the Americas.

Belford is from Trinidad and Tobago but currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. He could not miss an occasion like this to travel to his native country. 'It's the first black president of US and the first one to come to Trinidad in a very long time. I can't remember the last US president who came to Trinidad,' he said.

Behind Belford, the giant screen over a fast-food restaurant between adverts showed music videos from local artists that are dedicated to Obama. 'Barack, Barack, it's Obama, first black president in White House, yo. A moment I'm so happy to see,' raps local star Third Bass on the screen in the main avenue of the country's capital.

'The big boss is coming, the big boss. After God, he's the boss,' he stressed. 'The world respects Obama, we also do.' Beyond the international echo of the presence of the first black US president in Trinidad and Tobago, Albert rejoices about its more mundane aspects.

‘We need many things getting done, and nobody listens to us. Now Obama is coming, and we are getting everything done, the streets,' he said. 'I wish he would come every six months, and then everything here would be very nice.'