Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to embark on a diplomatic tour across five countries in Central America and the Caribbean. The trip, scheduled from February 1-6, will include visits to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
According to Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for Secretary Rubio, the visit aims to further President Trump's "America First" foreign policy. The focus of the engagements with senior officials and business leaders will be on promoting regional cooperation in several key areas. These include efforts to stop illegal migration and combat transnational criminal organizations and drug traffickers.
Another important aspect of Secretary Rubio's agenda is countering China's influence in the region while fostering deeper economic partnerships. The ultimate goal is to enhance prosperity within the hemisphere through these strengthened alliances.