[2] All broadcasts of this program were supervised under the strict government supervision of the United States Department of State and the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs (OCIAA) as part of the United States Cultural Exchange Programs cultural diplomacy initiative authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (via Voice of America) during World War II through the Office for Coordination of Commercial and Cultural Relations (OCCCRBAR), and the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs directed by Nelson Rockefeller.

[9][10] It featured live performances of the CBS Pan American Orchestra under the musical direction of the noted conductor Alfredo Antonini.

[16] The collaborative performances by musicians who were featured on the program also served to introduce large audiences in the United States to innovative forms of Latin music including the Mexican Bolero.

[34][35][36][37][38][39] Mr. Chester could often be found visiting the control room at the CBS broadcast studios in New York City in order to enjoy his series of live concerts and to exchange insights with his staff of musicians and recording artists.

[40] In recognition of their efforts to foster greater understanding between the peoples of Cuba and the United States on this program, both Edmund Chester and William S. Paley were awarded the Carlos Manuel de Cespedes National Order of Merit by the Cuban government - its highest civilian honor.