U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell travels to Brazil Monday for talks on regional security and economic issues.
Mr. Powell plans to meet with Brazilian business leaders in Sao Paulo - Brazil's industrial center - before flying to the capital, Brasilia, for talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The State Department says Mr. Powell will discuss the situation in Venezuela and bilateral cooperation on security issues and trade. He is also expected to express the United States' appreciation for Brazil's leadership of the international peacekeeping force in Haiti.
The secretary of state will leave Brazil on Wednesday.
The State Department says Mr. Powell is considering a visit to the Caribbean if it helps the recovery effort in a region devastated by hurricanes.