Secretary of State Marco Rubio says first overseas trip will focus on Western Hemisphere partners

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will make his first international trip in his new capacity under the Trump administration and plans to visit Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic to pursue regional priorities.

Rubio said, “American leadership is back, and we stand with our regional partners,” and called the western hemisphere “the region we call home” for U.S. foreign-policy attention. He listed shared goals including efforts “to end the era of illegal mass migration, achieve economic growth, and bolster both regional stability and regional security.”

Rubio characterized the engagement as an opportunity for “joint collaboration” with nearby countries after a period he described as the western hemisphere having been “overlooked throughout the years.” He said the trip is intended to reinforce bilateral cooperation on migration, economic issues and security.

The remarks did not specify dates, detailed agendas, or any formal agreements to be signed on the trip. Rubio also did not identify implementing agencies, funding sources, or concrete measures to accomplish the listed priorities in this statement.

Rubio concluded by saying, “So it's an exciting time to engage with allies in our region, and I'm very much looking forward to visiting Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.”