Bolivia's president-elect, Evo Morales, is due to meet Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez on his second foreign trip before his inauguration on 22 January.
Correspondents say the trip will cause concern among US officials worried about the rise of what they see as left-wing radicalism in Latin America.

Mr Morales last week held talks in Cuba with Fidel Castro. He will also visit Europe, South Africa, China and Brazil.

On Monday, he held his first meeting with the US ambassador to Bolivia.

A statement from Mr Morales' party said the meeting had been cordial and the two men had agreed on the importance of fighting the illegal drugs trade.

The new Bolivian leader has said he will consider easing restrictions on the production of the coca plant - used in the production of cocaine - for traditional and industrial purposes.

Mr Morales, who will become Bolivia's first indigenous president, has opposed the US-backed coca eradication programme.

In Venezuela, Mr Morales is expected to sign a series of bilateral declarations of intent, covering areas such as energy co-operation and trade.

Mr Morales and Hugo Chavez are seen as strong ideological allies who share a common vision for a left-wing South American economic and political bloc.

After his stop in Venezuela, Mr Morales will travel to Spain.

His 10-day tour of seven countries does not include the US.

Mr Morales would have gone to Washington had he been invited, his spokesman Alex Contreras said.

Mr Morales was elected president with nearly 54% of the vote, the biggest support for any candidate since democracy was restored in Bolivia in the 1980s.