MEXICO CITY, Sept 18, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

arrived in Mexico on Friday to participate in a gathering of leaders from
Latin America and the Caribbean, a rare trip abroad and his first since the
United States accused him of drug trafficking.

  Maduro was received by Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on arrival
in Mexico City for the summit of the Community of Latin American and
Caribbean States, or CELAC, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.

  In March 2020, the US Department of Justice accused him of crimes including
"narco-terrorism", drug trafficking, and possession of weapons, offering $15
million for information leading to his arrest.

  The designation came as the Trump administration worked to help opposition
leader Juan Guaido take power.

  The Venezuelan president, who usually travels to Cuba, a close ally, or to
Caribbean countries, has avoided leaving his country after the reward was
issued and his trip to Mexico is the first of an official nature since then.

  His participation at the summit was confirmed at the last minute, a few
hours before the heads of state and government, foreign ministers and envoys
of the 33 countries that make up the body are set to meet.

  The CELAC summit will be held at the National Palace in Mexico City on
Saturday and opened by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

  Member states are expected to discuss a range of issues, with the impact of
the coronavirus pandemic on the region at the top of the agenda.

  Obrador, a leftist leader, has overseen warming relations with Venezuela
since he came to power in 2018.

  His government refused to recognize former parliamentary leader Guaido in
2019 when he proclaimed himself president of Venezuela.