On January 31, the U.S. State Department officially announced Secretary of State Marco Rubio's upcoming tour of five countries in Central America and the Caribbean, scheduled from February 1 to February 6, beginning in Panama.
According to spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio will also visit El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic to promote President Donald Trump's foreign policy.
Bruce emphasized that the Secretary will meet with senior officials and business leaders to foster regional cooperation on shared fundamental interests.
Among these objectives, she highlighted the aims to curb illegal mass migration, combat transnational criminal organizations and drug traffickers, counter China's influence, and deepen economic alliances to enhance prosperity in the hemisphere.
This marks Rubio's first international trip since taking office on January 20, making him the first Hispanic to hold the highest diplomatic position in the country.
In a prior interview with SiriusXM, the Secretary expressed that Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland and regaining control of the Panama Canal stems from 'legitimate' national security concerns.
He noted these 'concerns' arise from China's increasing influence and activity in the Arctic and Latin America.
While he could not predict whether the President would successfully purchase Greenland from Denmark or restore U.S. authority over the Panama Canal during his four-year term, he asserted that 'our interest in the Arctic will be better protected; our interest in the Panama Canal will be better protected.'