Above: Joe Biden

By the Caribbean Journal staff

United States Vice President Joe Biden begins his visit to Trinidad and Tobago on Monday.

Biden’s visit follows a trip to Trinidad and Tobago by US President Barack Obama in 2009, although the purpose of that trip was to attend the Summit of the Americas.

Leaders from across CARICOM and the Dominican Republic are currently in Trinidad for the occasion, which will include talks on matters such as regional security, trade, human and social development and energy.

Biden will arrive at Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport on Monday evening, where he will be received by Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran.

Biden is being joined by his wife, Dr Jill Biden.

He will depart on Tuesday afternoon, a few days before Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will make the first visit to the Caribbean by a Chinese leader.