Rubio makes clear Trump's priority for Latin America with first tour as Secretary of State

Marco Rubio will make his first trip as secretary of state to Central America. As reported by Politico, the former senator plans to pass through Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Panama. This last destination drew particular attention due to Donald Trump's intention to reclaim the Panama Canal.

According to the aforementioned media, Rubio's visit could take place in the next few days, and one of the central topics would be the canal.

"Rubio is expected to use the travel to cover at least two issues at the top of MAGA foreign policy agenda: curtailing illegal migration and Trump’s push to reclaim the Panama Canal," Politico noted after speaking with three U.S. officials briefed on the plan, who specified that the trip was "tentative."

Latin America as a Priority for the Trump Administration

You have to go back to 1912 to find a US Secretary of State whose first official trip abroad included a Latin American country other than Mexico. That man was Philander C. Knox, who also traveled to Panama, where the United States was in the final stages of building the canal.

In an interview with VOZ, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar expressed frustration with the US approach to Latin America. In December 2023, she claimed that Latin America had been "largely forgotten" by the United States, allowing countries like China and Russia to expand their influence in the region.

"Latin America needs American investment. It is eager to do business with the United States again, not with China or Russia. Everyone wants to deal with the Americans, not with dictators or communists. But if the Americans don’t show up, then these other bad actors will," she added.

Rubio’s decision to focus on Latin America can be interpreted as a signal to the entire region, suggesting that the Trump Administration is aiming to re-engage with its southern neighbors.

The former Florida senator has long been involved in issues related to Cuba and Venezuela. Additionally, he has forged close ties with Argentine President Javier Milei and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña.

Where Did Previous Secretaries of State Travel First?

(Only the first Secretary of State under each administration was considered.)

Trump and the Panama Canal

The United States built the canal between 1904 and 1914, extending 50 miles and connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The first ship to pass through it was the SS Ancon, and since then, it moves millions of dollars a year thanks to international trade.

Under Jimmy Carter's presidency, the United States signed a treaty with Panama to transfer control of the canal to the Central American country. The Torrijos-Carter Treaty guaranteed that Panama would gain control of the canal after December 31, 1999.

Trump initially threatened to retake control of the Panama Canal last December 21. On his Truth Social account, he assured Panamanian officials that the current "scam" had to end and warned them to "act accordingly."

"Considered one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago, and was built at HUGE cost to the United States in lives and treasure - 38,000 American men died from infected mosquitos in the jungles during construction. Teddy Roosevelt was President of the United States at the time of its building, and understood the strength of Naval Power and Trade. When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else," he wrote.

His central argument is that Panama has breached the treaty signed more than four decades ago.