Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-jl) -- The number two man from the United States State Department, Deputy Secretary John Negroponte, is currently in Peru, according to the United States Embassy in Lima, Peru.

Negroponte's presence in Peru is part of his Latin America tour that aims to strengthen ties with Panama, Colombia, and Peru - all countries that have pending free trade agreements with the United States.

Yesterday, Negroponte visited Peru's neighbor to the north, Ecuador to meet with President Rafael Correa, a close ally of Venezuelan and Bush administration foe, Hugo Chavez.

During yesterday's meeting, Correa pushed for the extension of the counter-drug cooperation trade act, the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) which expires next month.

While in Peru, Negroponte is scheduled to meet with Peruvian President Alan Garcia (at 4pm today). The State Department's number 2 man will also visit Peruvian Chancellor Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, and Peru's Education Minister Jose Antonio Chang to review educational development programs impulsed by the White House.