Everyone loves Barack

Straight-talking and cheerful, President Barack Obama made a good impression during his visit last week to Mexico, where two people out of three two take a favorable view of the United States.

Just four years ago, during the administration of George W. Bush, the percentages were reversed.

At least according to the U.S. State Department, Obama and his country are even more popular in Central America, which the president also visited last week, this time to participate in a regional economic summit.

But Obama did not address immigration, a major concern in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Close to a fifth of the people of the three countries lives in the U.S., often without legal rights.

Nor did Obama clear up the issue of whether or not Central America can buy natural gas, a cheap fuel in the United States.

Some U.S. gas consumers oppose such a plan, because increased demand for gas would drive up the price.

But total demand by Central America wouldn’t affect prices significantly.

Meanwhile, either a gas pipeline from the U.S. or ocean shipments, would let Central Americans cut energy costs and pollution.