Bishop leaves for historic Americas visit

Julie Bishop will become the first foreign minister in decades to visit parts of Central and South America during a two-week tour of the region.

Ms Bishop, who jets off on Sunday, will reaffirm Australia's support for Argentina hosing the G20 summit next year when she visits on behalf of Australia for the first time in 15 years.

Afterwards the minister will open Australia's new embassy in Bogota and meet Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos.

She will become the first Australian foreign minister to visit Panama, where she says she will advocate for Australian business interests.

Ms Bishop will also visit Cuba, Grenada and Miami.

While in the state of Florida, she will meet with senior politicians and business leaders, noting it has the fourth largest economy and population in the US.