it was a distraction. >> reporter: helen kezie-nwoha, can a summit for democracy help fortify democracy don't know to what extent this conference will be able to fortify democracy. we're talking about changing institutions of governors and elections, and we don't have those technical people in the room. although, i believe there's a certain point to begin to discuss how comic can be more transparent, more effective. >> reporter: mare kornblith, the administration says one to have the goals is to promote democracy across latin america and openly discussed in the words of vice president harris u.s. democracy is not immune from threats, mentioning january 6th. what's the impact on american democratic places on its ability to spread democracy in the region. >> to those who o pose u.s., racist arguments say that is not the kind of democracy that serves as a model, but opens the opportunity for a sen sear and more direct conversation. many people, governments in the region resented the sense of superiority, the feeling that a model was being imposed because the u.s. model was so perfect. i th