BRASILIA, Brazil, April 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Brazil Tuesday for talks with Brazilian leaders on the first leg of a four-stop tour of the region.
Rice lauded Brazil for being a regional leader with the potential to become a "global force."
The secretary had a closed-door meeting with Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and Wednesday she is to meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Rice will likely discuss U.S. trade relations in the region, the political crisis in Ecuador and the growing U.S. concern with Venezuela.
The process for implementing the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas has been stalled by concerns of some nations, including Brazil, about limited access to U.S. markets.
The is expected to discuss the ongoing political crisis in Ecuador, where the Congress last week ousted President Lucio Gutierrez on accusations of corruption. Gutierrez -- currently in Brasilia -- is now seeking asylum in that nation.
As for Venezuela, Rice and the White House have spoken against Venezuela President Hugo Chavez and what they call his effort to create a Cuban-style authoritarian regime.
After Brazil, Rice is scheduled to visit Colombia, Chile and El Salvador.
