During his five-nation tour to Central America, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio focused on immigration, counternarcotics, and curbing Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere. Despite his intentions, his trip was overshadowed by significant upheavals in U.S. foreign policy.
USAID Upheaval
Rubio faced challenges related to the dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during his visit. The freeze on foreign aid and subsequent shutdown of non-essential USAID missions led to layoffs and repatriation of American staff.
Trump's Gaza Proposal
Trump's unexpected proposal for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip and rebuild it created further controversy. Rubio sought to downplay the proposal, emphasizing that any U.S. role in Gaza would be temporary.
Warning about the Panama Canal
Rubio raised concerns about Chinese influence in Panama, particularly around the Panama Canal. He warned that the U.S. might intervene if steps were not taken to reduce Chinese presence. Panama agreed not to renew its membership in China's Belt and Road initiative.
Deportation Agreements
Rubio secured agreements with El Salvador and Guatemala to receive migrants deported by the U.S. He also worked on expanding Guatemala's capacity to repatriate migrants from other countries. Costa Rica and Panama received support for immigration enforcement efforts.
Rubio's trip highlighted key issues in U.S. foreign policy and cooperation with Central American nations, despite challenges and controversies that arose during his visit.
