Brazil¡¯s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva returned to power vowing to revive South American political and economic unity. A regional event this week shows he¡¯s now fighting to maintain clout in his own backyard.

The 80-year-old leftist icon is coming face-to-face with a new generation of younger, conservative presidents at the Latin America and Caribbean International Economic Forum ¡ª the ¡°Davos of Latin America,¡± it¡¯s been called ¡ª in Panama on Wednesday.

The event is the first gathering of regional heads of state since the U.S. captured Venezuela¡¯s Nicolas Maduro, sparking outrage from Lula but praise from other leaders who will be in attendance.