Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit five countries in Central America and the Caribbean from February 1-6. The trip aims to advance President Trump's "America First" foreign policy. During his visit, Secretary Rubio will engage with senior officials and business leaders in Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
The focus of these engagements will be on promoting regional cooperation concerning several key issues. These include efforts to stop illegal and large-scale migration, combat transnational criminal organizations and drug traffickers, counter China's influence in the region, and deepen economic partnerships to enhance prosperity.
Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, announced this itinerary on January 31st. According to Bruce's statement: "Secretary Rubio’s engagements with senior officials and business leaders will promote regional cooperation on our core shared interests."
This diplomatic mission underscores the United States' commitment to addressing challenges within its hemisphere through collaboration with neighboring nations.