Rubio’s first trip may include a stop in Panama, sources say

Minister of Foreign Affairs Marco Rubio He is preparing to travel to Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and other Central American and Caribbean countries in the coming weeks, multiple sources have confirmed to CBS News.

In his first trip abroad as the US’s top diplomat, President Trump is set to meet with leaders in Panama as he calls for the United States to reassert its authority. Panama Canal. His position in other Central American provinces is focused on creating formal agreements with those countries to return citizens deported from the United States as part of the new Trump administration. Immigration policy It is expected that this will lead to a significant increase in immigration. Several Latin American governments, including Guatemala, have indicated they are open to new agreements.

Rubio’s confirmation this week as the first Latino secretary of state has been closely watched across the hemisphere by governments eager for more attention from U.S. officials, particularly a top diplomat with personal ties to the region and a long career in public criticism of communist and socialist governments.

“It probably won’t come next week, but the first week of February,” said one person familiar with the plan, who spoke on condition of anonymity to be specific about the next plan.

Although the Panamanian government has not announced the expected visit, the president issued statements before and on Inauguration Day, denying President Trump’s claims that China now controls the Panama Canal. The key crossing point will remain under Panamanian control and the United States has vowed never to retake it.

The trip to Panama comes after Mr Trump said in his inaugural address that former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100, had “foolishly” returned control of the canal to Panama.

“We are absolutely devastated by this stupid gift,” Mr Trump said. “And Panama has broken its promise to us. The intent and spirit of our agreement has been completely violated. American ships are being overcharged and treated fairly in no way, shape, or form, and that includes the United States. The Navy and above all, China is building the Panama Canal and we’re not giving it to China.” , we gave it to Panama and we will take it back.

In addition to the Panama comments, immigration from Central America is a high-profile issue for the Trump administration, where Mr. Trump has signed executive actions laying the groundwork for his massive deportation plan and designating gangs and criminals as terrorist groups.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz On Sunday, he spoke on “Confronting the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” Specifically referring to MS-13 and Tren De Aragua, he said the Trump administration would “go after the gangs that terrorize our cities.” Venezuela will not deport members of the Tren De Aragua, Waltz said, and the Trump administration is in talks with third countries about accepting them.