Rubio visits Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to cement ties with new Trump-aligned leaders

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to travel to three South American nations—Colombia, Ecuador and Peru—over the coming days. In Colombia he will meet President Abelardo de la Espriella, in Ecuador President Daniel Noboa, and in Peru President Keiko Fujimori, all of whom have aligned closely with President Donald Trump’s policies. The agenda includes discussing U.S. assistance after Colombia’s recent earthquake, joint actions against narco-terrorism, and expanding commercial ties.

Rubio’s tour underscores a growing right-wing wave in the region, highlighted by leaders in Honduras, Bolivia, Argentina and El Salvador who also enjoy Trump’s support. The visits come as the U.S. pushes a more militarized “Donroe Doctrine,” with Colombia joining the “Shield of the Americas” pact and cooperating on lethal strikes against drug cartels. Critics note rising civilian casualties from such operations, while the U.S. continues to negotiate energy deals with Venezuela and maintain pressure on Cuba.