McCain to visit Colombia, Mexico

WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- John McCain, likely GOP U.S. presidential nominee, will head to South and Central America, where aides said he'll discuss free trade and the war on drugs.

When he visits Colombia Tuesday and Mexico Wednesday, the U.S. senator from Arizona also will discuss organized crime and national security and is expected to include immigration on his talking points, USA Today reported.

"We have shared interests and shared values with our Latin American partners," said Randy Scheunemann, McCain's foreign policy adviser.

McCain's schedule includes meetings with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

McCain's position on immigration has received criticism from conservatives and his likely Democratic challenger, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

McCain's support of comprehensive reforms, including tighter border security combined with more temporary foreign workers, has drawn sharp criticism from some GOP conservatives who advocate deportation for illegal immigrants already in the United States, USA Today said. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., said "comprehensive" is "code for amnesty."

Obama's campaign, meanwhile, announced Obama will visit Britain, France, Germany, and the Mideastern countries of Israel and Jordan to discuss topics such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change.