Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in Chile on Tuesday to help officials assess and help provide post-quake needs.

They have asked for communications equipment, some of which I am bringing on our plane, she said in Motevideo at a joint press conference with Uruguayan President Jose Mujica after his inauguration today.

Other technical equipment will be flown there in addition, she added.

Clinton's trip to the earthquake stricken nation comes in the middle of a previously scheduled diplomatic trip to Latin America this week that will extend until Friday and includes meetings with the leaders of Brazil and Argentina.

Among the issues on the U.S. agenda that will be discussed are economic development, public security and crime and the promotion of democratic governance in the region.

Clinton's previously announced trip to Chile on Tuesday was shortened after Saturday's 8.8 earthquake. She had been set to meet with outgoing President Michele Bachelet and president-elect Sebastian Piñera, who assumes power of March 11.

Clinton's tentative agenda this week also includes meetings with the leaders of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.

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