US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has launched a tour of Latin America to bolster pro-US leaders and cement Washington's influence over the continent. The tour, which includes stops in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, comes after a series of right-wing electoral victories across the region. The stated objective of this trip is "enhanced cooperation in the shared fight against narcoterrorism," according to the State Department.
Colombia's New Leadership
Rubio's first stop is Colombia, where he will meet with newly elected President Abelardo de la Espriella. De la Espriella, a hard-right lawyer, was elected in June on an anti-establishment platform and has promised to end peace talks with drug-running armed groups and tackle crime. Since his election, Colombia has stepped up air assaults and authorized joint military operations with the United States. The country has also joined the "Shield of the Americas," a coalition led by Trump to combat drug trafficking in the region.
In addition to discussing security issues, Rubio will also address reconstruction efforts following an August 10 earthquake that killed more than 330 people in Colombia's coffee-growing region. The quake destroyed schools, hospitals, and residential buildings across several towns and cities. President de la Espriella has requested US assistance, particularly a suspension of customs duties to support reconstruction.
US Strategy in Latin America
This tour by America's top diplomat comes after a string of right-wing electoral victories across Latin America. Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House in January 2025, several Latin American countries have initiated or confirmed a conservative turn. Washington is openly asserting its desire for hegemony over the South American continent, a strategy spelled out in the new US National Security Strategy, with Rubio, himself of Cuban heritage, as its chief architect.
The US has also recently concluded an agreement with Venezuela, which would see Washington take majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves. In Ecuador, Rubio will meet with President Daniel Noboa, whose government is carrying out operations against boats linked to the criminal group Los Choneros, involved in drug trafficking. The final stop is Peru, led by right-wing President Keiko Fujimori, who is aligned with US President Trump's policies.
This tour underscores the US's strategic focus on Latin America, aiming to strengthen alliances and assert influence in a region that has seen significant political shifts in recent years.
