U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives in Brazil Monday for talks on security and economic issues.
Mr. Powell is scheduled to meet with Brazilian business leaders in Sao Paulo, the country's financial and industrial center. He is then due to fly to the capital, Brasilia, for talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The State Department says those talks will focus on the political situation in Venezuela, as well as cooperation on security and trade.
Mr. Powell is also expected to express the United States' appreciation for Brazil's leadership of the international peacekeeping force in Haiti.
The secretary will leave Brazil Wednesday.
