Cnn
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Panama on Saturday for his first trip as the first diplomat of the United States who will test if his diplomacy can rely on the foreign policy of President Donald Trump and the “American First” foreign policy , especially on migration.
Rubio’s choice to visit Central America – Panama, Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic – is intentional and intended to advance the Trump agenda by “paying particular attention to our own neighborhood”.
Migration will be a key goal throughout Rubio’s trip, in the context of the dramatic confrontation between Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro last Sunday.
The discussion on the Panama canal – which, according to Trump, should be back under American control – is also “priority” while the best American diplomat is in Panama City.
Rubio should also highlight efforts to counter China in the region. However, assistance officials and some American officials say that this effort – and priorities such as the fight against illegal migration and drug trafficking – were compromised by his frost on foreign assistance.
During migration, Trump officials have mapped a Latin American strategy, very aware that the region is an integral part of their aggressive expulsion program. For years, the United States has returned migrants from Central American countries. However, the COVVI-19 pandemic partially prompted record migration through the Western hemisphere, which means that more people went to the southern United States from several countries.
The public confrontation less than day between Trump and Petro was a key discussion subject among Trump officials and offers a window on how the administration plans to approach their relations with the regional allies.
“We have to work with countries of origin to stop and dissuade other flows of migrants, and accept the return of their citizens present to the United States illegally,” Rubio wrote in the Wall Street Journal on Friday.
“Some countries cooperate with the United States with enthusiasm – others, less. The first will be rewarded, “he said. “For the latter, Trump has already shown that he was more than ready to use a considerable leverage in the United States to protect our interests. Simply ask the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro. »»
However, the way in which the administration plans to work specifically with its partners in the Western hemisphere is not yet clear.
A test will be how the Trump administration exploits its close relationship with El Salvador. US officials are in talks with the country to conclude an asylum agreement that would allow the United States to send asylum seekers who are not Salvadoran in Salvador to ask for protections.
The case should be discussed during Rubio meetings with the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele and other officials.
“During the first Trump administration, El Salvador was one of the three countries that had a third secure agreement with the United States, which will also be a subject of discussion,” Trump journalists said on Friday for the ‘Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone.
The United States and El Salvador also expected to discuss the possibility of deporting alleged members of the Gang Tren in Aragua, from Venezuela, in El Salvador, where the vast and violent repression of Bukele against the gangs attracted the Admiration of the Trump administration.
“These extraordinary measures, which are frankly the desire of many countries in the Western hemisphere, has really made him one of the most consecutive leaders not only on security but a great ally on migration,” said Claver -Carone.
“We are trying to make a new agreement that could include members of the Aragua Tren, who will want to return to Venezuela rather than having to share the prison with the Salvadoral gangs like MS-13. This is part of what we want to discuss and how President Bukele can help us, “said Claver-Carone.
In Costa Rica also, Rubio will seek to extend repatriation efforts.
“One of the subjects of the discussion will be a repatriation program with Costa Rica to help not only those who come from South America, but those who come from the world repatriated in this way,” said Claver-Carone.
Panama is also essential to efforts to reduce migrant traffic. The country is home to Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle connecting South America and Central America. The crossings have served as a barometer of the number of migrants who can go to the South American border. The number of people traveling the passage fell.
The number of migrants that crossed Panama in the first 23 days of January 2025 decreased by 93% compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the National Migration Service of Panama.
The United States and Panama concluded an agreement last year under former president Joe Biden to fight against the flow of migrants passing by the Ditch of Darien which included equipment, transport and logistical support. The passage, which remains a priority for the Trump administration, should present themselves during meetings between Rubio and the Panamanian officials, including President José Raúl Mulino.
“We have a very successful repatriation program with Panama which should frankly be extended, and it will obviously be an accent on the conversation,” said Claver-Carone on Friday.
The Panama Canal question is “a priority to discuss,” he said. Rubio will visit the canal and “visit with the administrator of the Panama Canal”.
The repeated and publicly declared desire for the United States to regain control of the key water has already caused diplomatic agitation, Mulino declaring several times that Panama’s sovereignty on the canal is not to be discussed .
“There is no discussion on this issue. The soul of a country is not to be discussed, ”said Mulino on Thursday, a few days before his meeting planned with Rubio.
Managers, including Rubio, have argued that it is national security and dissuade Beijing because Panama ports – part of a subsidiary of the conglomerate based in Hong Kong, CK Hutchison Holdings – exploit terminals On the sides of the Atlantic and the Pacific of the Canal.
“It is a technicality, but in reality, if China wanted to hinder traffic in the Panama Canal, they could,” said Rubio in an interview with Megyn Kelly on Thursday.
“We cannot allow any foreign power – in particular China – to hold this type of potential control over what they do. It just can’t continue, “he said.
The question of the fight against China should overcome its regional visits. Trade between China and the Latin American countries increased from $ 10 billion in 2000 to 450 billion dollars in 2022, according to the company / Council of Americas.
“We are impatient to develop with Guatemala discussions on how to continue to support us on migration, and to counter Chinese influence throughout the region,” said Claver-Carone. Guatemala has maintained diplomatic links with Taiwan, even if other countries like El Salvador have not done so.
Humanitarian officials and some US officials argue that the United States gave way of China to South America and Central America due to Trump policies as the freezing of foreign aid, which according to them, Created a void that Beijing will be happy to fill.
There are dozens of programs in the region taken in the sudden and radical break on foreign aid. These programs include efforts to counter drugs, which would be a priority when Rubio visits the Dominican Republic.
CNN asked the State Department if derogations had been issued for programs in the region before Rubio’s visit.
CNN ‘Angelica Franganillo Díaz, Stefano Pozzebon and Patrick Oppmann contributed to reports.