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Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Mexico and Ecuador from Sept. 2 to 4 as part of a regional tour focused on security, migration and economic cooperation, the State Department announced.
The trip will mark Rubio’s fourth visit to the Western Hemisphere since taking office. According to U.S. officials, discussions will center on efforts to dismantle drug cartels, curb fentanyl trafficking, address irregular migration, reduce trade deficits and counter the influence of outside actors in the region.
Rubio is expected to meet with senior leaders in Mexico City and Quito. The State Department said the engagements are intended to “deepen bilateral ties” and strengthen regional coordination.
In Mexico, the visit comes against the backdrop of U.S. tariffs imposed earlier this year. On March 4, the Biden administration levied a 25% tariff on Mexican goods, citing trade imbalances and concerns over border security and fentanyl smuggling. The measure was partially lifted after talks between President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum but remains in place indefinitely.
American Society of Mexico, a binational organization based in Mexico City, welcomed Rubio’s visit. “This visit represents a great opportunity to continue advancing the common agenda between Mexico and the United States,” said Larry Rubin, president of the organization. He highlighted security, migration, investment and competitiveness as areas where the two governments could make progress.
The United States has increased pressure on Mexico in recent years to take stronger action against organized crime. In February, Mexican authorities extradited 29 cartel members to the U.S., part of broader cooperation efforts following U.S. calls for tougher measures against narcotrafficking.
In Ecuador, Rubio is expected to express U.S. support for the country’s fight against organized crime and its efforts to stabilize the economy amid rising violence linked to drug cartels.
The United States and Ecuador maintain close ties centered on shared interests in democratic governance, counternarcotics efforts, trade, investment and economic development. The relationship is reinforced by strong people-to-people connections, with an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Ecuadorians living in the U.S., about 24,000 Americans visiting Ecuador each year, and roughly 15,000 U.S. citizens residing in the country.
Relations were strained during the presidency of Rafael Correa, when Ecuador granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asylum in its London embassy in 2012 amid U.S. efforts to pursue extradition. Ecuador revoked Assange’s asylum in 2019 under President Lenín Moreno, paving the way for improved bilateral relations.