Uruguay President Visits Venezuela
Coming from Bolivia, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez is kicking off Monday his first visit to Venezuela that should strengthen relations between the two countries.

The visit is part of a tour, started in Chile, which will take him, too, to Brazil and Paraguay.

Tuesday, the distinguish visitor will lay a wreath at Simon Bolivar´s tomb and meet with President Hugo Chavez at Miraflores Palace, where he will be conferred the Highest Order of the Liberator.

The two statesmen are clinching agreements and a joint declaration that should lead to expand economic collaboration and set a trade exchange of Venezuelan oil for Uruguayan cattle and diary products.

Also Tuesday, Vazquez is visiting an endogen development center and the facilities where free medical services are provided to the population under the "Barrio Adentro" (Inside the Neighborhood) program.

Before leaving this South American nation Wednesday, the Uruguayan head of state is scheduled to attend a special session of the National Assembly.

In Bolivia, the Uruguayan president met with Evo Morales and discussed the possibility of La Paz supplying gas to his country.