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Marco Rubio visits South American leaders to strengthen security ties and counter drug-trafficking groups

Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to meet with conservative leaders and strengthen regional security. During the tour, the administration announced increased security assistance and signed critical minerals deals. In Colombia, Rubio met with President Abelardo de la Espriella and signed a deal to jointly identify and finance mining projects. In Ecuador, Rubio met with President Daniel Noboa and announced that the administration would designate the Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organization. Rubio also defended the U.S. military's strikes on drug-trafficking boats, stating that these groups would 'eat these countries alive' if left unchecked. In Peru, Rubio met with President Keiko Fujimori to formalize Peru's membership in the Shield of Americas, a coalition aimed at fighting transnational criminal groups. While the administration has pushed for economic decoupling from China, the Peruvian government has maintained strong trade ties with China. Rubio also noted that Mexico's efforts against cartels are currently insufficient, stating that vast territories remain ungoverned by the state. The administration continues to prioritize its militarized anti-drug agenda in the Western Hemisphere.

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