Marco Rubio, embarking on his inaugural expedition as Secretary of State, plans to tour not just Panama, but also four other nations in the broader Latin American region, aggressively advocating his stance on immigration controversies.
This Saturday, Rubio is bound for Panama, marking the beginning of his debut official overseas venture. His excursion to Central America serves to reinforce his dedication to the geopolitical issues tied to the region and draws attention to the contentious stances of the preceding Trump administration.
Rubio’s extensive plan incorporates visits to Panama, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. This multi-destination tour is demonstrative of the Trump-era commitment to staunchly counter illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border and underlines the looming influence of migration on upcoming American diplomacy.
Further engrossing scrutiny, Rubio has always showcased a profound fascination in Latin American politics, a sentiment stemming from his Cuban lineage. As a key Republican figure advocating U.S. policy-making concerning Latin America during his senatorial tenure, the significance of his trip cannot be downplayed.
Undoubtedly, Rubio’s visit to Panama serves as a central feature of this tour. According to the officials from the State Department, his itinerary includes a pivotal visit to the historic Panama Canal, a move that potentially kindles diplomatic friction with the Panama administration, given their vehement opposition to any dialogue revolving around the canal’s ownership.
The Trump administration’s insistent agenda to reacquire control of the Panama Canal has frequently surfaced in public discourse. This crucial maritime passage, originally constructed and overseen by the United States in the early 20th century, is seen as a strident claim by Trump and now Rubio.
The duo have routinely raised concerns over the cluster of Hong Kong-based firms situated near the entrances of the Canal, fearing the possibility of these companies acting as China’s proxies to throttle the Canal’s operations.
Although the Panamanian leadership have repeatedly expressed their willful opposition to even contemplate handing over the canal control, Rubio’s assurance in this Trump-supported policy remains unshaken.
During a recent interview, Rubio elucidated that the interest of the previous President towards the canal was unequivocally earnest and is expected to be a dominant dialogue theme during his impending visit to Panama City.
Despite the fierce resistance within Panama’s political circles to relinquish their grasp over this globally vital watercourse, Rubio continues to champion these provoking views, synonymous with the bygone Trump administration.
Ultimately, the subtleties of the agenda pushed by Rubio mirror much of the controversial policies established during the Trump administration.
The keen emphasis on the topic of immigration and the proposal to reclaim control over the Panama Canal are evidence of the statesman’s alignment with Trump’s political dogma.
What remains to be seen is how his diplomatic excursion would unfold amidst these prevailing tensions and to what extent these confrontational views will impact relations with his Latin American counterparts.
Irrespective of the outcomes from this trip, Rubio’s bold proposals foreground the enduring influence of Trump’s policies, even as we await to witness how the Biden-Harris administration would look to moderate or counteract these contentious issues.