Marco Rubio Declares the Dawn of a New Era for the Americas

Marco Rubio Declares the Dawn of a New Era for the Americas

Prioritizing America means safeguarding our region by keeping harmful substances like fentanyl out of our communities, deporting illegal immigrants and criminals, and countering the economic, technological, and political reach of Communist China across the Americas.

During my initial visit as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of State, I traveled to five of our strongest democratic allies. This decision was deliberate, as previous administrations often overlooked our region. Throughout my tenure in the U.S. Senate, I heard complaints from regional leaders who felt that being an adversary of America held more advantages than being a friend. That pattern is changing.

My diplomatic journey to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic has already yielded positive results.

In Panama, leaders are distancing themselves from China’s debt trap. El Salvador has agreed to accept deportees of any nationality. Meanwhile, Costa Rica is enhancing cooperation with the United States to combat drugs, crime, and terrorism.

Guatemala has committed to increasing deportation flights by 40%. In the Dominican Republic, with U.S. assistance, we confiscated an aircraft owned by a high-ranking member of the Venezuelan regime, which was reportedly used to evade American sanctions.

These significant strides are the result of nations in our hemisphere acknowledging that under President Trump’s leadership, we will firmly confront our adversaries, support our allies generously, and prioritize the security interests of the United States.

This practical approach is already proving beneficial for both our partners and the American populace.

China had been enhancing its influence over the Panama Canal for years, jeopardizing the canal’s neutrality and U.S. security interests. However, a clear warning from the United States prompted Panama to commit to withdrawing from China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The Biden administration had strained relations with El Salvador by neglecting its democratically elected leader. However, during my initial discussions as Secretary of State with President Nayib Bukele, he expressed his willingness to imprison violent illegal migrants on behalf of the United States.

The leaders of Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic also offered their assistance. Together, we devised strategies to combat threats to the sovereignty of the Americas, including the dangers posed by China’s 5G technology, illegal immigration, and transnational crime groups. All foreign leaders reaffirmed their commitments to accept deportees from the United States.

These significant gestures of collaboration do not go unnoticed. Our new memorandum regarding civil nuclear cooperation with El Salvador exemplifies the benefits our allies can anticipate when they align with our objectives. This framework not only bolsters safety and security but also advances prosperity for all who share our hemisphere.

The contrasts between the past few weeks and the last four years are striking. Only recently, many countries in our region seemed to gravitate towards China, falling victim to criminal cartels. Tyrannical regimes in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba exploited our diplomats, but that tide is turning. During a recent press conference in Costa Rica, I labeled these three regimes as enemies of humanity.

What has driven this change? The answer is straightforward — we now have a president and administration that refuse to allow America’s influence to wane in its own backyard.

These early victories stemming from President Trump’s America First agenda underscore several crucial messages.

Firstly, we prioritize U.S. interests while also recognizing those of our allies in the Americas. These nations naturally align with us rather than a distant dictatorship like China. Their alignment will only wane if the United States allows its adversaries to seize control.

The second takeaway is that America First does not equate to America Alone. The notion of isolationism falls flat; this administration will consistently pursue mutually beneficial partnerships with our international allies when feasible and always in line with our national interests.

This pragmatic foreign policy approach embraces realism rather than utopian ideals, and it is yielding success.

I eagerly anticipate achieving similar or even greater accomplishments on my upcoming trips. Countries worldwide, from those in our region to far-off corners of the earth, recognize that America is regaining its stature. In partnership with us, the Americas too will rise to greatness once again.

We stand at a pivotal moment in history. The willingness to collaborate and take action offers a clear path forward.