Rubio in Latin America to bolster US influence and combat drugs and migration

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-country tour of Latin America on Tuesday, meeting with conservative leaders allied with the United States, as the administration of President Donald Trump ramps up military operations to combat drug trafficking and seeks to strengthen its influence in the Western Hemisphere to enhance US standing in energy and combat illegal immigration.

One week after striking a major oil deal with Venezuelan leaders, Rubio arrived in neighboring Colombia to meet President Abigail de la Espriella. The new Colombian leader has endorsed President Trump’s policies on issues ranging from drugs and immigration to energy.

During Rubio’s visit to the Caribbean city of Barranquilla, the two sides signed an agreement on cooperation in civil nuclear energy and an agreement on critical minerals. De la Espriella is among a new generation of right-wing conservatives winning elections and showing support for Trump’s tough approach in a region that has leaned left in recent decades.

Rubio told journalists about the three countries before departing for South America: “We have many common interests with them, whether in confronting transnational criminal terrorism in the region or in areas of economic cooperation. This is part of a trend we are seeing in the Western Hemisphere, namely convergence with the United States and US interests.”

During the signing ceremony, De la Espriella said the two countries are linked by a “long-term strategic partnership,” emphasizing the importance of combating drug trafficking. The Colombian president pledged to target drug manufacturing laboratories and arrest top drug cartel leaders.