LOC09:25
06:25 GMT
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump and Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski met Friday and expressed concern about the mounting economic crisis in Venezuela, a White House statement said.
Food and medicine shortages in Venezuela have resulted in mass protests and people fleeing to neighboring countries.
The International Monetary Fund estimates that inflation will top 1,640 percent in the country this year.
Trump and Kuczynski stressed "the need for collaboration among leaders in the Western Hemisphere to preserve democratic institutions" in Venezuela, the White House said.
The two leaders also reaffirmed tied between their own countries, and their "shared responsibility in the fight against transnational organized crime," the statement showed.
Trump underscored the US commitment "to expanding trade and investment ties with Peru," and "discussed options for closer defense and security collaboration," the White House said.
This was the first meeting between Trump and Kuczynski. (end)
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