Clinton makes her first visit to South America

MONTEVIDEO, March 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday arrived at Uruguay's capital, beginning her first visit to South America since she took the post.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves upon her arrival at the Congress in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, March 1, 2010. Hillary Clinton arrived in Uruguay on Monday to attend the inauguration of President-elect Jose Mujica, and to kick off her 6-nation Latin American trip. (Xinhua/Nicolas Celaya)

Clinton was expected to attend the inauguration of Uruguay's President-elect Jose Mujica. She would also meet incumbent President Tabare Vazquez.

Clinton was scheduled to head to Argentina later on Monday to meet President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

She was expected to travel to Chile to talk about issues of bilateral ties with President Michelle Bachelet Jeria and President-elect Sebastian Pinera.

Clinton was also expected to express condolences to the earthquake-hit country. She has reiterated that the United States stands ready to provide necessary assistance to Chile.

Brazil would be Clinton's last leg of her South America visit. She has also planned to visit two Central American countries -- Costa Rica and Guatemala -- on her way back home.