Rubio ends South America swing with Peru security talks
The US secretary of state deepened cooperation with a new bloc of conservative governments and pressed the fight against regional drug cartels.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his tour of Latin America in Peru on Thursday, strengthening ties with conservative governments and combating drug cartels. After visiting Colombia and Ecuador, Rubio met with new Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori and addressed the press. Peru, a major cocaine producer, has seen a surge in homicides since 2018 and faces ongoing international drug trafficking.
The visit aimed to address security concerns and prepare for the El Nino weather phenomenon. In Quito, Rubio announced that Los Tiguerones, Ecuador's most powerful criminal gang, would be designated as a terrorist organization by the US, severing its financial connections. Rubio emphasized that these groups are not ordinary mafias but terrorists, warning of their potential to devastate nations.
The tour underscores a shift in regional politics, with right-wing governments forming closer ties with Washington. It also highlights the US administration's efforts to counter China, Russia, and Iran's influence in Latin America. The Chinese embassy refuted claims of regional dominance and defended its cooperation with Latin American nations.
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