That last part -- the idea that everybody plays by the same rules -- is one of our most cherished American values.

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He said that Mr Obama bore responsibility for statements by his embassies and this one was "akin to an apology" adding it was a "terrible course to apologise for American values" and the White House was sending mixed signals.

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It is one of the first stable and thriving democracies in Latin America and has long been supportive of American and Western values.

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