Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner leads South America trip

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is leading a South American trade and investment mission with stops in Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Turner's office announced the mayor and members of the Greater Houston Partnership would participate in the trip that began Saturday and runs through July 20.

Turner says Houston is home to nearly 17,000 people of Peruvian, Chilean and Argentinian descent. He estimates trade relations between Houston and the three countries are valued at an average of $9 billion annually.

Supporters of the nation's fourth largest city, with more than 2.3 million people, also plan to promote tourism.

Parts of Houston are still recovering after being swamped late last summer by heavy rain associated with Hurricane Harvey.