Mexican prez-elect to tour Latin America; rips U.S. border plan

Felipe Calderon- the president-elect of Mexico- plans to use a trip to Latin America next week in order to promote Mexico’s role in the region and provide a counterweight to Hugo Chavez’s influence. Calderon (image) will visit five countries but will skip Venezuela and Bolivia, whose president is viewed as a strong ally of Chavez.

Yesterday, Calderon also repeated his staunch opposition to U.S. plans to erect additional fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. Calderon echoed comments he made in July which were met with disapproval by the Bush administration.

Links- The Latin Americanist (blog), Washington Post

Image- CBS News (U.S.)

Tags- Latin America, Mexico, United States, immigration, international politics