Marco Rubio says US seeks more economic and security ties in Latin America

What the report says

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on a three-country tour of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, with the Trump administration saying it wants to deepen economic and security cooperation with governments in the region. Al Jazeera reports that Rubio met Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla on Tuesday, and is expected to continue later this week to Ecuador and Peru to meet President Daniel Noboa and President Keiko Fujimori.

According to the article, Rubio said Washington is aiming for near-term trade agreements with all three countries and sees them as partners in efforts against transnational crime and other security threats. The visit also reflects a broader US effort to counter China’s influence in Latin America, where Beijing has long-standing trade ties, including with Peru. The trip comes amid a wider Trump administration push for stronger US involvement in hemispheric security.

In Colombia, the meeting produced agreements on critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation, while de la Espriella said he wants to rebuild Colombia’s role as Washington’s main security partner in the region. He also signaled interest in US support for military operations and technology such as radar and drones. The article says his government has moved toward a tougher security posture and closer alignment with Trump priorities.

The report also notes criticism from leftist presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda, who argued that the visit and the new agreements could weaken Colombia’s sovereignty. Colombia has separately asked Washington to reduce tariffs imposed in July.