U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is gearing up for a noteworthy diplomatic mission across Central and South America. This marks his first international engagement since assuming office, and it promises to address two significant issues: immigration challenges and China's increasing influence in the region. During the first week of February, Rubio plans to visit Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, marking a historic moment as it is the first time in over a century that a U.S. Secretary of State starts their tenure with an official visit to Latin America.
According to a senior official, the main objectives of Rubio's journey are to fortify the Trump administration's immigration policies and to confront Beijing's growing presence. As Rubio stated in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, For too long, U.S. foreign policy has overlooked our own backyard, allowing opportunities to slip away. That stops now.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized the importance of these visits, noting that proximity to the United States makes these relationships crucial. They hold significance not only for fostering new partnerships but also for nurturing existing bonds. Rubio echoed this sentiment, highlighting the necessity of cooperation with neighboring countries to effectively manage border security and deportation plans.
It's clear that diplomacy plays a central role in Rubio's strategy. The aim is to work closely with countries to curb migrant flows and ensure they are willing to accept the repatriation of their citizens. For instance, Guatemala has been largely cooperative with the administration’s agenda, accepting migrants from military flights, and signaling readiness to welcome deportees of different nationalities.
On the other hand, the Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, initially resisted accepting non-Mexican deportees. However, they have relented, having taken in over 4,000 individuals, a majority being Mexican nationals, with some from other countries as well. The situation remains complex as Mexico has yet to permit military flights carrying deportees to land.
Challenges also persist with Honduras. At the end of 2024, Hondurans represented a significant proportion of those in the deportation pipeline. While tensions rose with the threat of expelling U.S. military members in response to mass deportations, signs of a policy shift are emerging as Honduras explores a program to reintegrate returning migrants, aptly named Brother, Come Home. Meanwhile, Colombia has allowed military deportation flights under the pressure of a potential trade war.
Rubio's itinerary also includes diplomacy that aims to foster humanitarian collaboration. In Costa Rica, he hopes to initiate a program for the orderly repatriation of migrants traveling through Central America. Furthermore, discussions with Venezuela about the return of Venezuelan gang members and American hostages have taken precedence.
Another critical component of Rubio’s mission is to counteract China's growing influence in Latin America, particularly through the Panama Canal, a strategic waterway crucial for international trade. The U.S. has expressed concerns about the canal's operation, which involves entities affiliated with Beijing on both ends. Rubio warns that any directive from China to close the canal would pose a direct threat to U.S. interests.
However, Panama's President, Jose Raul Mulino, firmly stated that regaining control of the canal is non-negotiable. The canal belongs to Panama, he declared, ensuring that any notion of renegotiation remains off the table.
In summary, Rubio's diplomatic mission underscores a clear realignment of U.S. foreign policy priorities, aiming to bolster relationships in Latin America, address immigration issues head-on, and counter China's geopolitical maneuvers. The outcomes of these efforts remain to be seen, but the groundwork laid during this tour could have significant implications for the region's future and U.S. relations.