United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to meet with newly elected leaders who have aligned with President Donald Trump’s administration. Rubio will meet with Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella on Tuesday, followed by meetings with Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa and Peru's Keiko Fujimori.
The State Department has not released a detailed agenda for the trip but stated that discussions will include U.S. support for Colombia’s earthquake response, cooperation in combating narcoterrorism, and enhancing commercial relationships between the countries. This visit occurs amid a rightward shift in Latin America, with several leaders aligned with Trump taking office, including Honduran President Nasry Asfura and Bolivia’s Rodrigo Paz.
Rubio's trip aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to assert influence in the Western Hemisphere, which has involved a militaristic approach to security and a focus on combating drug trafficking. Colombia’s de la Espriella has increased cooperation with the U.S. and joined the “Shield of the Americas,” a group pledging military action against drug cartels.
The U.S. has supported de la Espriella following a recent earthquake in Colombia that resulted in over 330 deaths. In March, the U.S. military announced collaboration with Ecuador to target drug trafficking groups. Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg has defended U.S. military actions against alleged drug vessels.
Peru’s Fujimori has also committed to closer ties with the U.S. and a military crackdown on criminal organizations. Rubio’s visit follows a controversial agreement with Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, granting U.S. companies access to Venezuelan oil reserves. Additionally, the U.S. has intensified its pressure on Cuba, with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez rejecting talks with the U.S. amid ongoing sanctions.
Brazil and Mexico are currently the only countries in the region with leftist leadership. Rubio has described the conservative shift in Latin America as an “extraordinary achievement.” Upcoming elections in Brazil may further influence the political landscape, as Flavio Bolsonaro seeks to challenge Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.