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

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is preparing to travel to Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and other Central American and Caribbean nations in the coming weeks, multiple sources confirmed to CBS News.

The trip, which is expected to be his first overseas as the US’s top envoy, is set to include a stop in Panama to meet with leaders there, as President Trump asks the US to resume the operational control of the country. Panama Canal. His stops in other Central American counties are likely to focus on establishing formal agreements with those countries to take back nationals deported from the United States as part of the new Trump administration. immigration policy which is expected to result in a significant increase in deportations. Many Latin American governments, including Guatemala, have signaled that they are open to establishing new agreements.

Rubio’s confirmation this week as the first Latino Secretary of State has been closely followed throughout the hemisphere by governments intrigued by his ascension and eager to gain more attention from American officials, especially his top diplomat with a personal connection with the region and a long history of work. of public criticism towards communist and socialist governments.

A person familiar with the planning, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the ongoing planning, said Rubio “probably won’t come next week, but the first week of February.”

Panama’s government has not announced any planned visit, but its president issued sweeping statements ahead of and on inauguration day refuting President Trump’s claim that China now controls the Panama Canal. He promised that the key transit point would remain under Panamanian control and that the United States would not take it back.

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

“We have been treated very badly by this stupid gift that should never have been made,” Mr. Trump said. “And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our treaty and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are severely overloaded and not treated well in any way, shape or form, and that include the United States. The navy and above all, China operates the Panama Canal And we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we took it back.

In addition to Panama’s comments, migration from Central America is a high priority for the Trump administration and Mr. Trump has already signed executive actions that lay the groundwork for his large-scale deportation plan and designating cartels and gangs as terrorist groups.

National security adviser Mike Waltz he said Sunday on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” that the Trump administration will “go after the criminal gangs that terrorize our cities,” specifically citing MS-13 and Tren De Aragua. Venezuela will not take deportees who are members of Tren De Aragua, and Waltz said the Trump administration is talking to third countries about admission.