Rubio Begins Latin America Tour in Colombia as US Seeks to Expand Influence

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Colombia on Tuesday at the start of a Latin American tour aimed at strengthening Washington’s influence in the region and backing leaders closely aligned with the United States.

Colombia is the first stop on Rubio’s three-country tour, which also includes Ecuador and Peru.

Relations between Washington and Bogotá have undergone a major shift since Colombia elected its new president, Abelardo de la Espriella. Under his predecessor, left-wing President Gustavo Petro, relations with the United States had been marked by tensions.

De la Espriella, a 48-year-old billionaire lawyer, won the presidency in June after campaigning on a pledge to challenge the established political system.

Rubio is scheduled to meet the new president on Tuesday in Barranquilla, the Caribbean port city better known internationally as the birthplace of pop star Shakira than as a centre of diplomacy.

De la Espriella defeated a left-wing candidate in the second round of the June election. During his campaign, he pledged to end peace negotiations with armed groups involved in drug trafficking and take tougher action against crime.

Since taking office, Colombia has stepped up airstrikes against armed groups and authorised joint military operations with the United States.

Colombia has also joined the Trump administration’s “Shield of the Americas” coalition of countries focused on combating drug trafficking.

The US State Department said one of the main objectives of Rubio’s visit is to expand cooperation in the joint fight against “narco-terrorism.”

Earthquake Reconstruction on Agenda

During his meeting in Barranquilla, Rubio is also expected to discuss reconstruction efforts following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia’s coffee-growing region on August 10.

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the earthquake killed more than 330 people.

Several towns, schools, hospitals and numerous residential buildings were destroyed in