Above: Martelly meeting with Venezuelan officials earlier this week (Photo: OP)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haitian President Michel Martelly left Haiti Wednesday for a visit to Miami, where he will undergo surgery on his right shoulder, the National Palace announced.

Martelly will return to Haiti next week to host his counterpart, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who will be making an official visit to the country.

Earlier this week, Martelly held talks with Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua.

Venezuela and Haiti have been increasingly cooperative in recent years, highlighted by Martelly’s visit to the ALBA summit in Caracas earlier this year, where he was joined by actor and Haitian Ambassador-at-large Sean Penn.