Rubio heads to Panama, Latin America to pursue Trump’s ‘Golden Age’ agenda

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is embarking on his first overseas trip as the nation’s top diplomat, with Panama being his first stop on the six-day journey. Rubio’s mission is to pursue President Donald Trump’s geopolitical agenda, with a focus on re-establishing a “Golden Age” for America. Trump has expressed his intent to “take back” the Panama Canal, a sentiment that Rubio is expected to echo during his visit.

Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone emphasized the significance of Rubio’s trip, noting that it marks the first time in over a century that a secretary of state has chosen Latin America as their first official visit abroad. The last time this occurred was in 1912 when Philander Chase Knox visited Panama to oversee the completion of the Panama Canal. Claver-Carone sees this trip as a way to harken back to a time of American greatness and to usher in a new “Golden Age” for the country.

During his visit to Panama, Rubio is scheduled to meet with President José Raúl Mulino to discuss a range of issues, including migration, combatting drug trafficking, and addressing China’s presence in the Panama Canal. Both Rubio and Trump have raised concerns about Chinese companies operating within the canal and the potential security risks posed by Chinese influence in the region. Mulino has denied any Chinese control over the canal, asserting that Panama maintains full ownership and control.

In addition to Panama, Rubio will also visit El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, where he will meet with the respective presidents of each nation. The focus of these meetings will be on addressing Chinese influence, gang violence, migration, and drug trafficking in the region. Claver-Carone emphasized the importance of countering Chinese control in Latin America, highlighting the potential security threats posed by Chinese companies operating in key sectors.

Rubio’s trip is seen as a significant step in advancing America’s interests in the region and promoting a vision of a new “Golden Age” for the country. By engaging with key leaders in Latin America, Rubio aims to strengthen partnerships, address security challenges, and assert American leadership in the Western Hemisphere. The outcome of this diplomatic mission could have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign policy and the geopolitical landscape of the region.