Rubio’s first foreign trip focuses on Panama Canal and immigration in Central America

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to embark on his first foreign trip this weekend, heading to Central America with a focus on curbing illegal immigration and addressing US concerns about the Panama Canal. 

Rubio also intends to deliver the message that the US aims to regain control of the canal, despite strong resistance from regional leaders.

The choice of Central America for Rubio’s maiden voyage marks a departure from the tradition of his predecessors, who typically began their terms with trips to Europe or Asia. Rubio’s destination reflects not only his personal interest in the region as the first Hispanic to hold the top US diplomatic post but also the Trump administration’s emphasis on focusing foreign policy efforts closer to home.

“It’s no accident that my first trip abroad as secretary of state will keep me in the hemisphere,” Rubio wrote in The Wall Street Journal on January 31, per Caliber.Az.

Key elements of Rubio's trip will include addressing illegal immigration and narcotics smuggling, but another significant focus will be countering China's growing influence in the Western Hemisphere. Central to this effort is the Panama Canal, which was handed over to Panama in 1999. The Trump administration's push to regain control of the canal has been met with resistance from Panama's leaders.

In his op-ed, Rubio pointed out that mass migration, drug trafficking, and hostile policies from countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have created instability in the region. He also highlighted China’s increasing economic and diplomatic presence, particularly in relation to the Panama Canal.

Rubio’s first stop on his five-nation tour will be Panama, where President José Raúl Mulino has made it clear there will be no negotiations regarding the canal's ownership. Mulino emphasized that the canal is Panama’s sovereign property and expressed hopes that Rubio’s visit would instead focus on shared priorities like immigration and combating drug trafficking.

“It’s impossible, I can’t negotiate,” Mulino said on January 29. “The canal belongs to Panama.”

However, Rubio will assert the US's position on the matter. In an interview with SiriusXM's Megyn Kelly, Rubio explained that Trump’s desire to regain control of the Panama Canal stems from national security concerns over growing Chinese influence in the region.

“We’re going to address that topic,” Rubio said. “The president’s been pretty clear he wants to administer the canal again. Obviously, the Panamanians are not big fans of that idea. That message has been brought very clear.”

Concerns over Chinese investments in infrastructure and ports at both ends of the canal have raised alarms. Rubio warned that China could potentially obstruct traffic through the canal, violating the 1977 treaty under which the US ceded control.

Despite Mulino’s rejection of any discussions on ownership, some experts believe Panama might be open to a compromise, particularly regarding the operations of the canal. There is already an ongoing audit into the controversial 25-year no-bid extension granted to Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports, which could lead to a rebidding process for the canal’s operations.

By Tamilla Hasanova