U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to the capital cities of Panama and Mexico on October 18-19.

　　State Secretary Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. [Photo: AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta]

　　In Panama City, Pompeo will meet with President Juan Carlos Varela and Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado on Oct. 18, to discuss ongoing U.S.-Panama collaboration on such regional priorities as Venezuela and Nicaragua, as well as counternarcotics, counterterrorism, and illegal migration.

　　In Mexico City, Pompeo will meet with President Enrique Pena Nieto, Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray Caso on Oct. 19, when he will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to cooperate with both the current incoming administrations on economic issues, shared security challenges, and reducing illegal immigration.

　　The meetings "will advance priority issues in our bilateral relationships with Panama and Mexico, in support of shared efforts to secure a safer, prosperous, and democratic region," the State Department said.