Obama congratulates Chilean president-elect Bachelet

President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Chilean President-elect Michelle Bachelet to congratulate her on her victory in Chiles second-round election on Sunday, the White House announced on Thursday. "The President expressed his desire to continue strengthening the relationship between the United States and Chile, building on the close partnership he enjoyed with President-elect Bachelet during her previous term, as well as with President (Sebastian) Pinera during his time in office," the statement said. The two countries "enjoy robust cooperation on a variety of important priorities," including in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and Chiles nomination this year to the US Visa Waiver Program, it said.