US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to embark on his first diplomatic mission abroad, visiting five countries in Central and South America. During the trip, he will reinforce the Trump administration’s immigration priorities with leaders in the region and address Beijing’s influence. This historic visit marks a realignment of American diplomatic priorities, with Rubio saying that US foreign policy has long focused on other regions while overlooking its own neighborhood.
The trip is expected to focus on curbing immigration, particularly with countries that have been cooperative with the administration so far. However, some countries in the region remain hesitant to comply. Guatemala and Mexico have accepted hundreds of migrants, but Mexico has refused requests from the US to allow military flights carrying deportees to land in the country.
Rubio’s visit also comes as China’s growing influence in Central America is a major concern. The US has lodged complaints about Panama’s operation of the canal, which cuts through the country. Rubio has taken a measured approach, underscoring that the concerns are legitimate but also warning that any attempt to use the canal as leverage against the US would not be tolerated.
The trip is seen as historic, marking the first time a US secretary of state has visited Latin America in over 100 years. Rubio’s visit aims to strengthen relationships and address pressing issues such as immigration and regional security.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rubio-focus-curbing-immigration-countering-china-latin-america/story?id=118330156