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McCain visits Colombia and Mexico

by rahul | July 1, 2008 at 12:31 pm | 184 views | 2 comments

In an attempt to win Hispanic vote and show his foreign policy expertise, Republican candidate John McCain starts a short Latin American tour. He will be visiting Colombia where a political crisis is undermining President Uribe legitimacy. In addition, McCain would also visit Mexico where privatization of oil industry has prompted public outrage and recent manifestations. Speaking from Tucucan -Argentina, during the XXXV Summit- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stated he would vote for McCain. Such remarks were made as a joke. Chavez then criticised the current Bush administration for sending the IV fleet to the region.

McCain to begin Latam visit

Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian president, will hold talks with McCain [AFP]

John McCain, the US Republican presidential candidate, is set to a begin three-day visit to Colombia and Mexico, a trip designed to highlight his foreign policy experience.

Trade, drugs and immigration are set to top the agenda at McCain's meetings with Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian president, on Tuesday, and Felipe Calderon, the Mexican president on Thursday.

The Arizona senator's trip is seen as an attempt to highlight his commitment to free trade while also focusing on issues that are important to Hispanic voters, a voting bloc he is trying to court at home.

The visit is also viewed as a bid to contrast McCain's foreign policy experience with that of Barack Obama, his Democrat rival.