Rubio Presses Security Agenda With Germany, Panama and Mexico

Overview

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tuesday with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vasquez to discuss expanded security cooperation against narcotrafficking and transnational crime.
• Rubio thanked Panama for its partnership, noted steps to protect critical infrastructure, and signaled interest in further cooperation on regional efforts to promote stability in Venezuela.
• In a separate Tuesday readout, Rubio’s meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul covered securing supply chains, limiting Venezuela’s role as an operating hub for adversaries, and efforts toward peace between Russia and Ukraine.
• Rubio and Wadephul reiterated the importance of denying Iran the ability to develop or obtain a nuclear weapon and affirmed plans to deepen the U.S.-German partnership on these priorities.
• In a January 11 call, Rubio and Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente discussed stronger cooperation to dismantle violent narcoterrorist networks and halt fentanyl and weapons trafficking, with Rubio stressing the need for tangible results to protect the United States and the hemisphere.