US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Donald Trump’s administration wants to reach trade agreements soon with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru while expanding economic and security cooperation with the three countries.
Rubio met Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla during a tour designed to strengthen relationships with allied governments and increase US military involvement in Latin America. He is due to travel later this week to Ecuador and Peru to meet Presidents Daniel Noboa and Keiko Fujimori.
Security cooperation is central to the tour
De la Espriella said Colombia wants to re-establish itself as the United States’ primary partner in hemispheric security. He indicated that his government would seek US support for military operations, including radar and drone technology.
The Colombian president took office in August after promising a more militarised approach to crime and armed groups. His position aligns with the Trump administration’s emphasis on security and its Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, also called the “Shield of the Americas”, which promotes US military involvement against drugs and crime.
Key points
- The Colombia meeting included agreements on critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation.
- Rubio said the countries share interests in countering transnational criminal terrorism and expanding economic engagement.
- Washington is seeking to limit China’s growing influence in Latin America.
- Colombia has asked the US to reduce tariffs imposed in July.
Washington is also competing with China economically
The administration’s push for closer ties comes as China’s economic influence grows in the region. China signed a free-trade agreement with Peru in 2009 and has since become Peru’s largest trading partner, ahead of the United States.
The visit has drawn criticism in Colombia. Leftist presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda, an ally of former President Gustavo Petro, described the trip as surrendering strategic aspects of Colombian sovereignty and criticised the mineral and energy agreements. He also objected to de la Espriella’s decision to loosen gun restrictions.
What happens next
Rubio is expected to continue to Ecuador and Peru later this week for meetings with Noboa and Fujimori, while the administration pursues what it described as “good, solid” trade deals with all three countries.
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