President George W. Bush will visit Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico from March 8 to 14 to “underscore the commitment of the United States to the Western Hemisphere and highlight our common agenda to advance freedom, prosperity, and social justice and deliver the benefits of democracy in the areas of health, education, and economic opportunity,” the White House said Thursday. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bush will meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss alternative energy. He also is scheduled to meet other leaders of Brazilian society before traveling to Montevideo, Uruguay to conduct bilateral meetings with President Tabare Vazquez, the White House said in a statement. In Bogot?, Colombia, Bush will meet with President Alvaro Uribe and underscore the U.S. commitment to supporting that country's battle against narco-terrorism and discuss development issues, the White House said. The U.S. president will then visit Guatemala “to experience the rich cultural diversity” of the Central American country, meet with President Oscar Berger, and reaffirm close bilateral relations, the statement said. Bush will conclude his trip with a visit to Mexico “to emphasize our strong partnership with Mexico and to demonstrate support for President Felipe Calderon's efforts to address poverty and income inequality, restore law and order, fight the common threat of drug trafficking, and strengthen our economic relationship,” the White House wrote.
