Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun a three-nation tour of Latin America as Washington moves to strengthen ties with governments aligned with the Trump administration.
Rubio is visiting Colombia, Ecuador and Peru from September 8 to 10, with discussions expected to focus heavily on drug trafficking, trade, energy and regional security. The trip marks Rubio’s first official visits to Colombia and Peru as secretary of state and comes as the United States seeks to reinforce its position across the Western Hemisphere.
In Colombia, Rubio is meeting President Abelardo de la Espriella, whose government has taken a strong position on combating drug trafficking and illegal migration. The secretary is also expected to discuss U.S. assistance following a devastating earthquake in Colombia.
His itinerary continues in Ecuador and Peru, where he will meet Presidents Daniel Noboa and Keiko Fujimori as Washington looks to deepen cooperation with governments that share its tougher approach to organized crime and regional security.
The tour comes as U.S. military and diplomatic pressure against drug-trafficking networks intensifies across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Washington is also pursuing stronger economic and energy relationships in the region, making Rubio’s trip an important test of how far the United States can expand its influence.
With competition for political and economic partnerships increasing, the meetings could shape the direction of U.S.-Latin American relations on security, trade and migration in the months ahead.
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