WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to initiate his first foreign trip this weekend, heading to Central America to underscore President Donald Trump’s primary goal of reducing illegal immigration. During this visit, he also plans to convey the U.S. intention to reassert its influence over the Panama Canal, despite strong opposition from leaders in the region.
This choice of destination is somewhat atypical for the inaugural journey of a U.S. Secretary of State, as previous officials have usually opted for visits to Europe or Asia. However, Rubio’s personal interest in Central America, as the first Hispanic to occupy this high-ranking position, reflects the current administration’s strategy to concentrate its foreign policy efforts closer to home.
Rubio expressed in an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal that “It’s no accident that my first trip abroad as secretary of state will keep me in the hemisphere.” This trip will not only address issues surrounding immigration and the fight against drug trafficking but will also tackle concerns regarding China’s expanding influence in the Americas with the critical objective of reclaiming U.S. control over the Panama Canal. Since the canal was handed over to Panama in 1999, regional leaders have been firm in their opposition to any such proposal from the Trump administration.
Rubio highlighted the issues facing the region, including mass migration, narcotics trafficking, and the negative policies adopted by countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. He further warned that the Chinese Communist Party is using its diplomatic and economic clout to undermine U.S. interests in the region and exploit sovereign nations.
The first stop on Rubio’s itinerary will be Panama, where President José Raúl Mulino has clearly stated there will be no negotiations with the United States regarding the canal’s ownership. Mulino indicated that he hopes discussions during Rubio’s visit will instead focus on mutual interests like immigration control and drug-related crime.
“The canal belongs to Panama,” Mulino asserted, rejecting any proposal for renegotiation. Rubio, however, intends to articulate the administration’s position regarding the canal during his discussions, citing legitimate national security reasons tied to concerns over Chinese activities in the region. In his interview with a radio host, he affirmed the administration’s desire to reclaim control of the canal but acknowledged the apprehension from the Panamanian government regarding such intentions.
Concerns related to Chinese investments in port facilities surrounding the canal, which could potentially threaten the critical shipping route, are part of the ongoing discourse. Rubio pointed out that if China were to disrupt the canal operations, this would violate the treaty established in 1977 when the U.S. relinquished control.
Despite Mulino’s firm stance against negotiations, experts suggest that Panama might be receptive to discussions about transferring canal operations away from Hutchison Ports, a Hong Kong-based company that currently manages them. An audit is already in progress regarding the continuation of Hutchison’s operations, which could potentially lead to new bidding processes.
However, it remains uncertain whether Trump’s administration would consider a concession to a U.S. or European firm as satisfactory regarding control of the canal, as the demands may extend beyond operational rights alone.
Ryan Berg, a director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that while Trump’s position might find some openness in Panama, it would depend on how far the administration’s demands extend. He highlighted that while a compromise could be feasible, it would be essential to see the seriousness of Trump’s overtures regarding recovering the canal.
Rubio’s visit will kick off with a meeting in Panama, after which he will proceed to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. His arrival coincides with the U.S. resuming visa processing in Bogota, Colombia, which had been suspended shortly prior due to a diplomatic impasse.
Historically, secretaries of state have brought assistance initiatives and cooperative agreements on their trips. However, given the current foreign aid freeze ordered by Trump, Rubio’s capacity to present such initiatives may be limited. Nonetheless, he has made arrangements for certain critical programs to receive exemptions from the funding review, and waivers for these initiatives are currently being evaluated.
Among the initiatives pending review are those concerning Panama, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, while support for an international peacekeeping force in Haiti has already been greenlighted by the State Department, despite Rubio not having plans to visit there.
