U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently concluded his first diplomatic trip, visiting Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. The trip focused on strengthening ties with democratic partners in the region and advancing the "America First" agenda. Rubio aimed to counteract the perceived neglect of the region by previous administrations and to reassert American influence. His agenda included addressing issues such as illegal migration, transnational crime, and the growing influence of China.
Key outcomes from the trip include Panama's commitment to exit China's Belt and Road Initiative and El Salvador's agreement to accept deportees of any nationality. Costa Rica pledged to expand cooperation with the U.S. against drugs, crime, and terrorism, while Guatemala committed to receiving 40% more deportation flights. The U.S. also assisted the Dominican Republic in seizing an aircraft belonging to a senior member of the Venezuelan regime, which was used to evade U.S. sanctions.
Rubio emphasized that these successes demonstrate the U.S.'s commitment to prioritizing its interests and those of its allies in the hemisphere. He contrasted the current administration's approach with that of the recent past, during which China's influence grew and several countries appeared to be turning away from the U.S. Rubio asserted that the "America First" agenda does not mean "America Alone," but rather a pragmatic approach based on realism and mutually beneficial deals with international partners.
“Putting America first means protecting our region – keeping deadly drugs like fentanyl out of our cities, deporting illegal migrants and criminals, and stopping the economic, technological and political influence of Communist China throughout our hemisphere.”
with consistent frequency of Secretary of State visits
Source: U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Travel Records
Note: Data represents diplomatic activity from 1997-2024