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3mo ago

Rubio's Latin America Trip Highlights U.S. Immigration Goals and China's Regional Influence

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first diplomatic mission focuses on migration agreements, countering China's presence, and reaffirming Panama Canal sovereignty.

Danish cargo ship Lars Maersk sailing across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal
Newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a swearing-in ceremony at the Vice President’s ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building January 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Overview

  • Marco Rubio begins a six-day diplomatic visit to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, marking the first time in over 100 years a U.S. Secretary of State has chosen Latin America for their inaugural trip.
  • The Trump administration aims to strengthen deportation agreements with Central American nations and expand repatriation programs, particularly in Panama and Costa Rica.
  • Rubio plans to address China's growing influence in the region, particularly its involvement in Panama Canal operations, which has raised national security concerns among U.S. lawmakers.
  • Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has firmly rejected any negotiations over U.S. control of the Panama Canal, emphasizing Panama's sovereignty over the waterway.
  • Migration through Panama's Darien Gap has significantly decreased, with a 93% drop in crossings in January 2025 compared to the previous year, following U.S.-Panama agreements to curb migrant flows.