To keep Mr Abbas on the defensive, Hamas's leaders in Gaza have sought to block the joint programme he negotiated with Mr Meshal.

ECONOMIST: Israel and Palestine

In 2011, the AAR consortium attempted to block a drilling joint venture in the Arctic between BP and Rosneft through the courts.

BBC: BP sells TNK-BP stake to Russia's Rosneft

It also is part of a joint venture developing the first phase of Amazon's planned six-block headquarters.

WSJ: Weathering the Rain, And the Property Storm

The trip is intended to cast a light on economic opportunities and joint interests in commerce between the United States and Latin America, and competing globally as a united block.

CNN: Obama pays attention to Latin America