By Zoila Palma: Today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is wrapping up his South America tour in Peru where he is expected to hold security talks with President Keiko Fujimori as Washington seeks stronger cooperation with conservative governments in the region and intensifies efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
Rubio arrived in Lima on September 9 following visits to Colombia and Ecuador, where he promoted closer coordination against criminal gangs that the United States has designated or plans to designate as terrorist organizations.
Peru recently joined the “Shield of the Americas,” a US-led coalition promoted by President Donald Trump to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
Peru, one of the world’s largest cocaine producers, has also experienced a significant deterioration in public security, with homicides rising sharply since 2018, AFP reports.
Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espa said security and preparations for the El Niño weather phenomenon are the country’s two main priorities for Rubio’s visit.
During his stop in Ecuador, Rubio announced that Los Tiguerones, one of the country’s most powerful criminal gangs, would be designated a terrorist organization by Washington. Similar measures have already been taken against other Ecuadorian gangs, Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel.
Rubio’s regional tour also highlights Washington’s efforts to strengthen its influence in Latin America and counter growing ties between countries in the region and China, Russia and Iran.
The post International News: US Secretary of State ends Latin America tour with push for stronger Regional Security appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is wrapping up his South America tour in Peru where he is expected to hold security talks with President Keiko Fujimori as Washington seeks stronger cooperation with conservative governments in the region and intensifies efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. Rubio arrived in
The post International News: US Secretary of State ends Latin America tour with push for stronger Regional Security appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
