Secretary of State Marco Rubio He is preparing for his first trip abroad, which includes Panama, amid rising tensions over the Panama Canal.
what happened: Rubio’s first overseas trip as secretary of state will also include Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. However, Politico reported that those plans are still in the tentative stage, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The visit could reportedly take place as soon as next week Donald Trump’s Controversial comments suggest the United States may take back the Panama Canal. The comments sparked a diplomatic spat with Panama. “The Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama,” the Panamanian president asserted. Jose Raul Mulinoat the World Economic Forum earlier this week.
During his visit, Rubio is expected to address two key issues on MAGA’s foreign policy agenda: illegal immigration and the Panama Canal. Countries on Rubio’s travel list, including Guatemala and El Salvador, are key transit points for migrants heading to the U.S. southern border.
In a recent memo to State Department employees, Rubio emphasized mass immigration as “one of the most important issues of our time” and pledged to work with countries in the Western Hemisphere to stem illegal immigration.
The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on Rubio’s upcoming trip.
why it’s important: Controversy surrounding the Panama Canal has been brewing for some time. In January, Trump refused to rule out using military force to retake control of the canal, citing economic security.
Trump’s comments triggered a backlash from Panamanian President Mulino, who claimed in December that Panama owned the canal.
Trump’s threat to seize the canal, which earns Panama $2.5 billion a year and handles 5% of global maritime trade, has stoked concerns that international commerce could be disrupted.
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