Secretary of State Marco Rubio commences his inaugural overseas trip this Saturday, embarking on a six-day tour with Panama as his first destination. This visit marks the beginning of Rubio's efforts to advance President Trump's foreign policy objectives in the region.

During his inauguration, President Trump expressed his determination to "reclaim" the Panama Canal. In a recent press briefing, Special Envoy for Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, stated that Rubio's primary objective is to usher in a renewed era of American prosperity. Claver-Carone emphasized the symbolism of the trip, connecting it to a "Golden Age" for the United States and asserting that the 21st century will be another "American century."

Claver-Carone highlighted the historical significance of Rubio's visit, noting that it's the first time in over a century that a Secretary of State has chosen Latin America as the destination for their initial official trip abroad. He drew a parallel to a similar trip in 1912 by then-Secretary of State Philander Chase Knox, who traveled to Panama to oversee the final stages of the Panama Canal's construction.

In Panama, Rubio is scheduled to meet with President José Raúl Mulino to discuss critical issues, including migration, drug trafficking, and China's growing presence in the Panama Canal. Both Rubio and Trump have expressed concerns about the increasing number of Chinese companies operating at both ends of this vital waterway.

The Trump administration has voiced concerns that the Chinese Communist Party's influence over these companies poses a potential security risk, as it could theoretically allow the CCP to disrupt U.S. trade through the canal. However, Mulino has consistently denied that Chinese companies exert any control over the canal's operations. He recently stated that he would not engage in discussions with Rubio about the canal's ownership, emphasizing that the canal unequivocally belongs to Panama.

Mulino attributed any confusion regarding the canal's control to his predecessor, who established diplomatic ties with China and granted a Hong Kong consortium operational rights to ports at either end of the canal. Despite this, Panama insists that it retains full control over the canal itself.

Claver-Carone contends that Chinese companies have a significant presence in various sectors, including logistics, telecommunications, and infrastructure, which he believes poses a threat not only to U.S. interests but also to the security of Panama and the entire Western Hemisphere.

Following his visit to Panama, Rubio will continue his tour, visiting El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. In each country, he plans to meet with the respective presidents to address key issues such as Chinese influence, gang violence, migration, and drug trafficking.