This week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio finalized a highly anticipated visit to Mexico and Ecuador with a focus on security. The trip commenced amid heightened tensions in the region, following a US military action that destroyed a vessel in international waters of the Caribbean, and concluded as Venezuelan jets flew dangerously close to US Navy ships.
Rubio’s trip was an opportunity to reinforce long-term trust and cooperation with US partners in Mexico City and Quito. These efforts align with a broader strategy by the Trump administration aimed at integrating shared security with increased prosperity across the Western Hemisphere. While some progress is evident, the coming months and years will determine if this approach can effectively address enduring challenges in the region.
During his visit to Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum and her cabinet welcomed an expansion of security cooperation with the United States. At a joint press conference, Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente stressed the importance of Mexican sovereignty and the need to respect territorial integrity.
Mexican officials made it clear that both nations must operate against threats on their sides of the border, partially in response to concerns regarding potential unilateral US actions targeting foreign terrorist organizations within Mexico.
A significant announcement from Palacio Nacional was the establishment of a high-level implementation group to oversee security commitments made between Mexico and the United States. This group will encompass efforts to coordinate operations against drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking, as well as dismantling illicit financial networks and cross-border tunnels.
Expected to streamline bilateral security cooperation, this new group will include senior officials from security, foreign affairs, and intelligence agencies of both countries. By forming subcommittees specialized in issues like fentanyl and firearms, the implementation group aims to provide structure and continuity to security cooperation, highlighted by regular progress reports to both governments.
This development marks a significant advancement in cooperation between the United States and Mexico.
Ecuador, once considered one of the safest countries in the region, has seen a troubling rise in violence, with over five thousand murders reported as of July this year. The country’s homicide rate surged by 40% in 2025 compared to the previous year, largely attributed to organized crime and cartel activities.
In response to this escalating violence, the United States designated two groups, Los Choneros and Los Lobos, as foreign terrorist organizations during Rubio’s visit.
Though US-Ecuadorian cooperation has existed for some time, the spike in violence highlights the urgent need for increased US support for President Daniel Noboa’s tough-on-crime policies, known as mano dura. During his visit, Rubio announced nearly twenty million dollars in assistance for Ecuador, which includes six million dollars allocated for naval drones.
Rubio also discussed the potential deployment of US troops to Ecuador and the possibility of reopening a US military base, which had been closed back in 2009 during former President Rafael Correa’s administration.
These announcements underscore the geopolitical significance of a positive shift in US-Ecuador relations, a strategic alliance that has grown closer to the Trump administration despite Ecuador’s considerable debt to China. This evolution stands in stark contrast to the increasingly strained ties between the US and other long-time allies in the region, such as Colombia.
Additionally, US and Ecuadorian officials outlined the framework for a potential migrant deportation agreement, with details still pending. Rubio also mentioned progress on negotiating a bilateral trade deal.
The dual focus on enhancing security cooperation and deepening economic ties is an essential aspect of Rubio’s agenda and reflects a broader strategic outlook for the region. According to the Atlantic Council’s February 2024 report on redefining US strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean, future US engagement must prioritize mutual, inclusive growth rooted in secure relationships rather than mere transactional interactions.
This report envisions a redesigned partnership founded on shared values and tailored strategies for each country involved. Rubio’s visit can be seen as a step towards transforming that vision into a tangible reality. The Secretary of State’s engagements framed security cooperation as an initial priority, establishing that economic prosperity should be the ultimate goal of such collaboration.
As Rubio stated in Ecuador, “You cannot have economic prosperity without stability, and you cannot have stability without security.” He further emphasized that attracting foreign investment is almost impossible in the absence of security.
In light of the current narrative surrounding US counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean, it is crucial to recognize that these displays of military strength represent only a fragment of the broader picture. They should not overshadow the US’s overarching aims of fostering trust and enhancing security collaboration throughout the region.
Maria Fernanda Bozmoski, director of impact and operations, and lead for Central America at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center.
image source from：atlanticcouncil
