Authoritarian governments in Latin America may face increasing pressure as President-elect Donald Trump has selected Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
Rubio, a son of Cuban immigrants and a long-time U.S. senator, has been a strong advocate for policies challenging leftist regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, viewing them as threats to regional stability and freedom.
Rubio has consistently referred to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as a “narco-dictator,” called the Cuban government a “criminal regime,” and labeled Nicaragua “a center of illegal mass migration.”
In 2019, he played a pivotal role in the U.S. decision to recognize opposition lawmaker Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president—a move that ultimately did not lead to Maduro’s ouster but underscored Rubio’s commitment to reshaping U.S. policy in the region.
Analysts interpret Rubio’s appointment as a signal that Latin America will receive greater attention from the U.S., which has often prioritized other regions.
His membership on the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees allowed Rubio to voice concerns over China’s growing influence in Latin America, which he sees as a strategic threat.
His tenure may also bring strong support for nearshoring—encouraging U.S. companies to relocate supply chains closer to home—as a counter to China’s presence.
Rubio is expected to push for democratic reforms in Cuba and could even propose excluding Nicaragua from the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) to limit Daniel Ortega’s access to the U.S. market.
Observers believe Rubio’s appointment could mark a shift toward a more assertive U.S. policy in Latin America, with heightened emphasis on democracy and regional security.
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Publish date : 2024-11-14 04:27:00
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