Biden to travel to Chile, Dominican Republic

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says Vice President Joe Biden will travel next month to Chile and the Dominican Republic.

Biden and his wife, Jill, will visit the two countries in the second week of March.

In Chile, Biden will be leading the U.S delegation to the inauguration of incoming President Michelle Bachelet . She's a former political prisoner who served as Chile's president once before. Bachelet was elected to return to the job in December in a landslide. She takes office on March 11.

In the Dominican Republic, Biden plans to meet with President Danilo Medina to discuss bilateral issues and regional cooperation.

Biden has been leading an effort by the Obama administration to increase engagement with Latin America. He traveled last year to Colombia, Panama, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago.