Rubio launches Latin America tour with pledge to restore Colombia ties
The trip to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru comes after a series of elections brought pro-US right-wing leaders to power.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a three-nation tour of Latin America on Tuesday, arriving in Colombia with a pledge to restore ties with Bogota after a period of strained relations under former president Gustavo Petro. Speaking after meetings with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla, Rubio highlighted the natural rapport between the two countries and their shared goals in the war on drugs.
The US and Colombia have historically been allies in combating drug trafficking, but the last four years saw a deterioration in relations due to political clashes and Trump's administration's criticism of Petro's government. Rubio emphasized that the new Colombian administration now has an opportunity to rebuild their relationship and enter a new era of cooperation that would surpass previous levels.
The US and Colombia signed deals on critical minerals supply chains and civilian nuclear cooperation, aimed at securing strategic resources and strengthening their bond. During his visit, Rubio also addressed the broader regional trend of shifting alliances towards the US, warning about potential predatory practices by China, Russia, and Iran in Latin America.
In his subsequent stops in Ecuador and Peru, Rubio plans to further cement these relationships by discussing joint efforts against drug trafficking and organized crime, as well as advancing the US-backed Shield of the Americas initiative with Peru.
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