Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in Buenos Aires, Argentina for talks with President Nestor Kirchner that are expected to cover plans for a vast natural gas pipeline.

President Chavez's trip to Argentina follows a visit to Brazil, where he and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva discussed the $20 billion regional pipeline.

The proposed pipeline would run from Venezuela through Brazil to Argentina. President Chavez has described the pipeline as the most important project ever contemplated for South America. Brazil, however, made no guarantees that the pipeline will be built.

Mr. Chavez's trip to Brazil and Argentina marks his first abroad since winning re-election on Sunday.

The Venezuelan leader heads to Uruguay Friday, to meet with President Tabare Vazquez. President Chavez then travels on to Cochabamba, Bolivia for a two-day summit of the Community of South American nations.

By VOA News