Secretary Rubio’s First Trip: Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic

Sundance reporting for CTH 

Newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined his plans for his first foreign trip on behalf of President Trump.

In keeping with the #1 priority of U.S. border security and western hemisphere focus, Secretary Rubio will be heading to Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.  Obviously, the strategic national interest of the Panama Canal will be at the forefront of the visit; however, the visit to Guatemala and El Salvador will likely focus on their role in the transit of illegal aliens to the U.S. southern border.

President Trump has taken a very strong approach in his prior remarks about the central and south American nations being responsible to control migration.  There are numerous Non-Governmental Organizations and U.N agencies operating in Central America who direct and support the illegal migration flow.

This will be a test of Rubio’s capability to transfer President Trump’s open statements about repatriation of unlawful border crossers back into the nations of origin.  Undoubtably, Rubio will carry the economic weapons of trade and tariffs in his discussions with leaders in the region.

WASHINGTON DC – Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Panama — the country whose canal President Donald Trump has suggested he’d seize — as early as next week, according to three U.S. officials briefed on the plan.

The Rubio trip — scheduled to run from late January to early February — also includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, the officials said.

The trip is expected to be Rubio’s first foreign travel as secretary of State, said one former official who was also briefed on the plan. All were granted anonymity as they weren’t authorized to discuss travel plans publicly.

All of the individuals also stressed that the travel plans are tentative.

Late Wednesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the overall travel plan and said Rubio was choosing to prioritize the Western Hemisphere because “it’s where we live.”

“We won’t continue to ignore the region as other administrations have,” Bruce said. “Engaging with our neighbors is a vital element in addressing migration, supply chains and economic growth, which are key to Secretary Rubio’s pursuit of foreign policy focused on making America strong, prosperous, and safe.” (more)