Sources say Rubio’s first trip may include a stop in Panama

Minister of State Marco Rubio She is preparing to travel to Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and other countries in Central America and the Caribbean in the coming weeks, multiple sources have confirmed to CBS News.

The trip, which is expected to be his first abroad as top US envoy, is expected to include a stop in Panama to meet with leaders there as President Trump calls on the United States to regain operational control of the region. Panama Canal. His stops in other Central American countries will likely focus on concluding formal agreements with those countries to take back citizens deported from the United States as part of the new Trump administration. Immigration policy This is expected to lead to a significant increase in deportations. Several Latin American governments, including Guatemala, have indicated that they are open to concluding new agreements.

Rubio’s confirmation this week as the first Latino secretary of state was closely watched across the hemisphere by governments interested in his rise and eager to gain more attention from US officials, especially the top US diplomat with a personal connection to the region and a long work history. From general criticism towards communist and socialist governments.

Rubio “will probably come not next week but the first week of February,” said one person familiar with the planning, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the ongoing planning.

The government of Panama has not announced any expected visit, but its president issued strongly worded statements before Inauguration Day refuting President Trump’s claim that China now controls the Panama Canal. He pledged that the main crossing point would remain under Panamanian control and that the United States would not reclaim it.

The trip to Panama comes as Trump said in his inauguration speech that former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100, had “foolishly” returned control of the canal to Panama.

“We were treated very poorly by this foolish gift that should never have been given,” Mr. Trump said. “The Panama Promise to us has been broken. The entire purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been violated. American ships are being overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, and that includes the U.S. Navy and, most importantly, China is running The Panama Canal, and we did not give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we will take it back.”

In addition to the Panama comments, immigration from Central America is a top priority for the Trump administration, and Trump has already signed executive actions laying the groundwork for his wide-ranging deportation plan and designates cartels and gangs as terrorist groups.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz he said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday That the Trump administration will “go after the criminal gangs terrorizing our cities,” specifically referring to MS-13 and Tren De Aragua. Venezuela will not take in deportees who are members of Tren de Aragua, and Waltz said the Trump administration is talking to third countries about accepting them.