Belarusian President Continues Latin American Tour

Belarus President Alyaksander Lukashenka (right) is received by Cuban President Raul Castro at the Revolution Palace in Havana on June 25.

President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of Belarus has arrived on an official visit in Venezuela, as he makes the second stop of a Latin American tour that began in Cuba.

In Caracas, he is due to hold talks with President Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela is Belarus's largest trade partner in Latin America.

ITAR-TASS quotes Belarusian official sources as saying trade between the two countries has increased rapidly in recent years, from $6 million in 2006 to $1.3 billion in 2011.

On a visit to Cuba on June 25, Lukashenka signed five cooperation accords as he met with his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro.

One accord provides new agricultural machinery and equipment to the island. The two countries also agreed to promote scientific and technical cooperation.
According to official figures, bilateral trade between Belarus and Cuba is around $50 million.

After visiting Venezuela, Lukashenka heads to Ecuador.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, AFP, and Interfax