Rubio Visits Central America, Addresses Canal, Migration

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first foreign trip will focus on Central America, including Panama, as he seeks to advance President Trump's agenda of reducing migration and potentially reasserting U.S. control over the Panama Canal. The trip, scheduled for late January to early February, aims to engage with regional leaders on critical issues like migration, safety, and economic growth. Trump's calls to reclaim the canal, originally ceded to Panama in 1979, are met with resistance from Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who insists the canal will remain under Panamanian control. Concerns about Chinese influence over the canal have been raised by both Trump and Rubio, highlighting national security implications. Rubio's itinerary also includes stops in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, signaling a broader commitment to U.S.-Latin America relations. State Department officials emphasize that addressing regional issues is vital for U.S. prosperity and security.