WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that Iran and China are making `` quite disturbing '' gains in Central and South America . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.S. must n't `` turn our backs on countries in our own hemisphere . '' In wide-ranging comments on the region , she also said the Obama administration will work to improve relations among even its harshest critics in the Western Hemisphere , including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez , and is looking to the Castro brothers in Cuba for some reciprocal action in response to the president 's easing of travel and other restrictions . Efforts by the Bush administration to isolate certain Latin American leaders had failed , she said , and the United States now must work to counter efforts by China , Iran and Russia to gain influence there . `` What we are doing has n't worked very well and in fact , if you look at the gains , particularly in Latin American , that Iran is making and China is making , it is quite disturbing , '' Clinton said at a town hall meeting at the State Department with senior Foreign Service Officers . `` They are building very strong economic and political connections with a lot these leaders . I do n't think that is in our interests , '' she said . `` We have no guarantees here that we can create a better relationship with someone who has a different view of politics , the economy and so much else . But we think it is worth trying to just explore this and see what comes of it , '' Clinton said . `` I have to say that I do n't think -- in today 's world that is a multipolar world where we are competing for attention and relationships with at least the Russians , the Chinese , the Iranians -- that it is in our interests to turn our backs on countries in our own hemisphere . '' She pointed to a large Iranian presence in the Nicaraguan capital , Managua , as an example of what other countries are doing in Central and South America . `` We are looking at how to deal with [ Nicaraguan President Daniel ] Ortega , '' she said . `` The Iranians are building a huge embassy in Managua . You can only imagine what it 's for . '' Clinton 's voice was hoarse , she coughed occasionally and seemed to be nursing a cold , but she made no mention of her health . On Cuba , Clinton said the United States is awaiting a response from Cuban leaders Raúl and Fidel Castro . `` We would like to see some reciprocity from the Castros on political prisoners , human rights and other matters , '' she said . `` So we are looking at a number of different relationships and trying to figure out whether we can be more productive . My bottom line is what 's best for America , how do we try to influence behavior that is more in our interest than not . '' Later , Clinton appeared to be fighting back tears when she spoke at a ceremony to honor Foreign Service officers who had been killed in the line of duty . She spoke about 25-year-old Brian Adkins , who was just beginning his State Department career when he was murdered this year in Ethiopia . `` Please know how grateful we are for his selflessness and service to his country , '' Clinton said . Adkins ' name and those of three other Foreign Service officers were added to a plaque in the State Department entrance .
Castro : Obama administration trying to improve ties with even harshest critics . U.S. having to counter efforts by Russia , Cuba and Iran in region , Clinton says . Secretary of state says President Bush 's efforts to isolate certain leaders failed . Clinton says U.S. awaiting response from Hillary Clinton brothers in Obama .