Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up his first overseas trip across Latin America with several wins on immigration, a top priority for President Donald Trump.

America’s new top diplomat returns home with a binder full of agreements from foreign governments on day-one priorities to interdict human and drug trafficking – a testament to how the Trump administration wields America’s economic might. 

"I think the fact that his first trip was to Latin America, I think was a huge statement in itself," said Joseph Humire, executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society (SFS).

Next, Rubio will head to the Middle East, with plans to visit Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in mid-February after attending the Munich Security Conference. A broad swath of even more challenging circumstances await him there, including concerns from foreign officials over Trump’s newfangled idea to "take over" the Gaza Strip, with neighboring Arab states staunchly opposed to U.S. insistence that they take in Palestinians. 

RUBIO TO VISIT MIDDLE EAST FOR SECOND TRIP AS SECRETARY OF STATE AFTER TRUMP SUGGESTS US TAKEOVER OF GAZA

Before the secretary took off for Latin America, the Trump administration had already scored several victories. Colombia did a lightning fast about-face on accepting deportation flights carrying illegal immigrants headed home from the United States. President Gustavo Petro had initially denied two flights carrying Colombian nationals, saying he would not accept the return of migrants who were not treated with "dignity and respect" and who had arrived shackled or on military planes. 

But Trump immediately threatened 25% tariffs on Colombian goods, and Petro acquiesced to all U.S. conditions, according to the White House, including accepting migrants on military planes. 

Rubio then began his regional tour in Panama last Saturday, a nation that nervously awaited to see what his visit would hold after Trump repeatedly called for a U.S. takeover of the Panama Canal. 

Trump had claimed the canal was essentially under the control of China – Hong Kong-based firms control the ports of entry – and charging America unfair rates after the U.S. built the canal and gave it back to Panama in a 1977 treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter. 

After Rubio’s visit, Panama said it would not be renewing its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with China, an investment project the CCP uses to secure influence in developing nations across the world. 

"The BRI thing was huge news," said Humire. 

"There are 22 countries in Latin America that signed a BRI agreement. If we really push hard on this, a lot of countries, especially the ones that are allied with us, are going to rethink" their agreements with China, he added. 

RUBIO HEADS TO PANAMA, LATIN AMERICA TO PURSUE TRUMP'S 'GOLDEN AGE' AGENDA

Rubio had warned Panama that if its government did not move to reduce or eliminate the CCP’s grip on the canal, the U.S. would move to do so.

Under the canal treaties, the U.S. retains the duty to defend the canal if it comes under threat. 

But Rubio hit a snag over a claim that the State Department made that Panama had offered free passage through the canal for U.S naval vessels.

Panama President José Raúl Mulino then accused the US of spreading "lies and falsehoods" about his nation offering the U.S. free passage. 

The secretary then rowed back the claim, while calling the charges "absurd." 

"It seems absurd that we would have to pay fees to transit a zone that we are obligated to protect in a time of conflict," Rubio said.  "Panama has a process of laws and procedures that they need to follow as it relates to the Panamanian port."

In Costa Rica, Rubio offered U.S. help to combat a wave of drug trafficking crime and push back on Chinese influence by limiting CCP development of 5G technology in the country. 

Then, in El Salvador, Rubio cinched an offer from Trump-friendly President Nayib Bukele to accept deportees of any nationality, including American criminals. 

EL SALVADOR AGREES TO ACCEPT US DEPORTEES OF ANY NATIONALITY FOLLOWING MEETING WITH RUBIO

At the same time, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to send 10,000 Mexican forces to the U.S. border after Trump agreed to delay a threatened 25% tariff on her nation’s exports to the U.S.

Meanwhile, in Guatemala, President Bernardo Arévalo pledged to accept 40% more deportation flights and to accept people of other nationalities. 

"I think a lot of the wins are because of his prior relationships with the region, his team and, frankly, his experience and his knowledge," said Humire. "He’s somebody that can engage them in their language and in their kind of mannerisms."

And, he added, Latin America saw "how serious" Trump was about deportations, watching the threats the president made to Canada, Mexico and Colombia.

"I think we could have gotten more clarity from Panama on the canal," said Humire. "But I think we met little resistance [overall]."

Rubio wasn’t the only Trump official to secure Latin America wins. Special envoy Ric Grenell sat down with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro this week and returned home with six American hostages. The price paid, according to Grenell, was giving the Venezuelan dictator a photo opportunity with an American diplomat for propaganda purposes. 

The Trump administration now expects deportation flights to Venezuela to resume "within 30 days," border czar Tom Homan told the New York Times, after Maduro previously refused to accept Venezuelan nationals back from the U.S. 

"He's on a good-behavior policy," said Humire.  "[Maduro] thinks – they call it agenda zero – they think that they can renew, kind of restart relations with the U.S. by basically being on good behavior, starting to steer us towards their interests."

"Grennell has to be able to get the things that we need without giving a whole lot. And I think he accomplished that," Humire continued. "The photo op, they’re going to spin it, use it for disinformation. But that’s a small concession for bringing hostages home."

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Venezuela "agreed to receive" illegal immigrants his administration is planning to deport.

"Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including gang members of Tren de Aragua," President Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back. We are in the process of removing record numbers of illegal aliens from all Countries, and all Countries have agreed to accept these illegal aliens back."

On Friday, Trump’s envoy for special missions Ric Grenell met with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas to discuss his country accepting violent criminals deported from the United States.

TRUMP OFFICIAL TRAVELS TO VENEZUELA IN PUSH FOR MADURO REGIME TO TAKE BACK TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBERS

That same day, during a call with reporters, Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy to Latin America, said Grenell would tell Maduro to take back all the Venezuelan criminals and Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang members that have been "exported to the United States, and to do so unequivocally and without condition."

Members of the bloodthirsty Venezuelan gang TdA have been found across the U.S. over the last few years as illegal immigration exploded. In a video that went viral, suspected TdA members were seen taking over an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, where they terrorized residents for months.

DHS SEC. NOEM ANNOUNCES END TO TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal immigration authorities for a series of immigration raids in New York City where she claims they encountered a TdA member trying to buy grenades.

"He had just been a part of a gun weapons exchange and was trying to buy grenades," Noem said during an appearance on "Fox & Friends." "Why would anybody in this country need to buy a grenade and go out and perpetuate violence?"

Two other suspected TdA members were charged with the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. They are accused of sexually assaulting the young girl before ultimately killing her and leaving her body under a bridge.

In addition to persuading Maduro to take back violent criminals deported from the U.S., Grenell succeeded in securing the freedom of six Americans, who joined him on his flight back to the US. The Trump administration official tweeted a photo of the men on the plane, saying that "couldn’t stop thanking" President Trump.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves for his first overseas trip as the nation’s top diplomat on Saturday. Rubio's first stop on the six-day visit is Panama as he sets out on pursuing President Donald Trump’s geopolitical agenda.

Trump used his inaugural address to proclaim his intent to "take back" the Panama Canal, and in a call with reporters on Friday, Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone said Rubio’s chief purpose of the trip would be in re-establishing a "Golden Age" for America.

"This trip signifies… that era of American greatness and the Golden Age," he said, adding that "the 21st century will also be an American century."

MARCO RUBIO LAYS OUT AMERICA FIRST AGENDA IN NEW OP-ED, SAYS DAYS OF NEGLECTING US ‘END NOW’

Claver-Carone pointed out that Rubio’s trip to Latin America is the first time a secretary of state has traveled to the region as their first official visit abroad in over 100 years. 

"Last time that happened, I believe, was in 1912, when Philander Chase Knox went to Panama… to oversee the conclusion of the Panama Canal’s construction and operations," he told reporters. "What a great message to harken back to that Golden Age of the Americas, as President Trump himself has mentioned."

Rubio is scheduled to meet with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino.

The pair are expected to discuss migration, combating drug trafficking and China’s presence in the Panama Canal, which Rubio and Trump have argued has become overrun by Chinese companies operating at either end of the crucial waterway.

The Trump administration has argued that the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) tight grip over all Chinese companies means that, in extension, the CCP is operating out of the canal and could, in theory, close it to U.S. trade if it chose to — posing a significant security threat. 

TRUMP OFFICIAL TRAVELS TO VENEZUELA TO NEGOTIATE DEAL FOR DEPORTING TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBERS

Mulino has repeatedly denied that Chinese companies have any influence over the operations of the Panama Canal, and on Thursday said he would not be negotiating ownership of the canal with Rubio.

"It’s impossible, I can’t negotiate," Mulino said during a Thursday press conference when asked about negotiating control of the canal, The Associated Press reported. "That is done. The canal belongs to Panama."

Mulino apparently claimed confusion over control of the canal was attributed to his predecessor, who severed ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China in 2017, eventually allowing a Hong Kong consortium to operate ports at both ends of the canal.

Panama maintains that it controls the canal.

Claver-Carone argued that Chinese companies control "everything from force and logistics to telecommunications, infrastructure, and otherwise," which he said is not only a security threat to U.S. interests in the canal, but to the national security of Panama and the Western Hemisphere.

Rubio is also slated to visit El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, where he will meet with the presidents of each nation before returning to the U.S. on Thursday. 

Addressing Chinese influence in these countries, along with gang violence, migration and drug trafficking, will also be top of Rubio’s agenda.

President Donald Trump's envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, has traveled to Venezuela to deliver an in-person message to socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro about accepting violent criminals deported from the United States.

On a call with reporters Friday, Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy to Latin America, said Grenell will tell Maduro to take back all the Venezuelan criminals and Tren de Aragua gang members that have been "exported to the United States, and to do so unequivocally and without condition." 

Grenell will also demand that Venezuela immediately release American hostages being held in that country, Claver-Carone said.

TRUMP TAPS RICHARD GRENELL AS PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY FOR SPECIAL MISSIONS, EDWARD S. WALSH AS IRELAND AMBASSADOR

The trip "focuses on two very specific issues. That we expect that Venezuelan criminals and gangs will be returned, as they are, to every country in the world, without conditions, and two, that American hostages need to be released immediately, unequivocally," he explained. 

"This is not a quid pro quo. It's not a negotiation in exchange for anything. President Trump himself has made that very clear." 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Friday that Grenell had arrived in Venezuela on orders from the president. 

‘WEAPONIZED MIGRATION’: US FACES DEADLY CONSEQUENCES WITH MADURO IN POWER, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION WARNS

Despite widespread belief among Venezuelans and much of the international community that Maduro lost the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election to opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, he was sworn into his third six-year term earlier this month.

The U.S. does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate head of state of Venezuela.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado has called on Venezuelan citizens to protest the Maduro regime and demand that González be installed as the rightful president of Venezuela.

DETAILS OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER'S POSSIBLE ARREST REMAIN UNCLEAR AMID MADURO INAUGURATION RESISTANCE

As many as 10 Americans are currently detained in Venezuela, although the State Department has not declared them wrongfully detained. Three are U.S. citizens who allegedly participated in a plot to destabilize the country, according to Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

The State Department has denied any U.S. involvement with a plot to overthrow Maduro. 

It remains unclear how many Americans are currently held in Venezuela following the significant prisoner swap in 2023 when Washington and Caracas negotiated the release of dozens of prisoners, including 10 Americans, in exchange for Colombian businessman Alex Saab, a close ally of Maduro.

Saab was arrested during the first Trump administration on charges related to a $350 million bribery scheme. 

Colombian President Gustavo Petro swiftly backtracked on his refusal to accept deportation flights from the United States after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and other measures. 

The White House confirmed on Sunday that Colombia's president had caved "to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay," 

"Based on this agreement, the fully drafted IEEPA tariffs and sanctions will be held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honor this agreement," the statement said. "The visa sanctions issued by the State Department, and enhanced inspections from Customs and Border Protection, will remain in effect until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned."

"Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again," the statement added. "President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation's sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States."

TRUMP DHS REPEALS KEY MAYORKAS MEMO LIMITING ICE AGENTS, ORDERS PAROLE REVIEW

Earlier in the day Sunday, Gustavo appeared to fold almost immediately after Trump threatened to punish the country for refusing deportation flights. Gustavo offered his presidential plane to repatriate migrants coming back from the U.S.

Trump told Fox News Petro did a total about-face after his tariff threat.

In a statement translated from Spanish, the Colombian government said the plane will help facilitate a "dignified return."

"The Government of Colombia, under the direction of President Gustavo Petro, has arranged the presidential plane to facilitate the dignified return of the compatriots who were going to arrive in the country today in the morning, coming from deportation flights," the translated statement read.

"This measure responds to the Government's commitment to guarantee decent conditions."

This weekend, American officials sent two flights of Colombian illegal aliens as part of Trump's ongoing deportation program. Petro rejected the flights, writing that the U.S. cannot "treat Colombian migrants as criminals."

"I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory," Petro said. "The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them."

In response, Trump threatened to unleash a slew of punishments, including ordering a 25% tariff on all goods coming into the U.S. from Colombia.

Trump threatened that the tariffs would rise to 50% after one week, Trump said. The president also ordered a travel ban and visa revocations for all Colombian government officials, plus "allies and supporters."

"These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!" Trump warned.

BILLIONAIRES COZY UP TO TRUMP WITH SEVEN FIGURE INAUGURAL DONATIONS AFTER PAST FEUDS WITH PRESIDENT

"I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people."

"Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States, so I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio partially fulfilled Trump's order on Sunday, publishing a statement about the agency imposing visa restrictions in order "to enforce and prioritize an America First agenda."

"Following President Petro’s refusal to accept two repatriation flights he previously authorized, Secretary Rubio immediately ordered a suspension of visa issuance at the U.S. Embassy Bogota consular section," the State Department said. "Secretary Rubio is now authorizing travel sanctions on individuals and their families, who were responsible for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations."

"Measures will continue until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection acted with similar swiftness to implement Trump's orders.

The agency said it was taking "decisive measures" including enhanced inspections of flights, private aircraft, and cargo to and from Colombia, denying boarding to flagged visa holders and enforcing the travel ban on Colombian officials with DOS coordination.

On Sunday afternoon, Petro issued a similar threat to Trump, saying that he ordered his foreign trade minister "to raise tariffs on imports from the U.S. by 25%." 

"The ministry should help direct our exports to the whole world other than the US," the translated post read. "Our exports should be expanded."

Later, Petro published a lengthy rant where he raised the tariffs to 50%.

"I am informed that you impose a 50% tariff on the fruits of our human labor to enter the United States, and I do the same," the translated X post said.

Amid the back-and-forth between Petro and Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson weighed in on social media and warned that "Colombia and all nations should be on notice."

"Congress is fully prepared to pass sanctions and other measures against those that do not fully cooperate or follow through on requirements to accept their citizens who are illegally in the United States," Johnson wrote. "President Trump is putting America first, just like he said he would. And Congress will implement policies that reinforce his agenda."

Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

According to Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, the state’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and Tren de Aragua (TdA) migrant gang activity have reduced illegal crossings by nearly 90% and resulted in close to 50,000 criminal arrests.

Abbott’s office said that the Texas-led campaign called "Operation Lonestar," which was first launched in March 2021 and has seen the participation of over a dozen other Republican states, has led to 530,400 illegal immigrant apprehensions and over 49,900 criminal arrests, with more than 42,900 felony charges.

During this operation, Texas also became the first state to build a border wall on its own, continuing border wall construction at strategic points despite President Biden putting a stop to it in the early days of his administration.

US BORDER PATROL REPORTEDLY CAPTURES RUSSIAN MERCENARY CARRYING DRONE, 2 PASSPORTS AND $4K

"Our top priority is the safety and security of Texans, including against the growing threat of Tren de Aragua," Abbott said on X. "We will not allow this gang to operate or gain a foothold in Texas."

The governor’s office also said that during Operation Lonestar, Texas law enforcement seized over 620 million lethal doses of fentanyl, which they said is "enough to kill every man, woman, and child in the United States, Mexico, and Canada combined."

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The office noted that Abbott designated TdA, whose violent crime has been sweeping across the nation, a foreign terrorist organization and launched a strike team to target, identify and arrest members of the group.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested four TdA members crossing the border on New Year's Eve, one of whom was identified as a possible high-ranking member of the gang.

TREN DE ARAGUA BELIEVED TO BE BEHIND MURDER OF IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL NEAR BORDER

The statement also said that Texas has transported a total of 119,400 migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles, all of which have migrant sanctuary policies in place.

Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, told Fox News Digital that Operation Lone Star has cost Texas more than $11 billion, all of which was spent on efforts to secure the border, including deploying thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers, transporting migrants to sanctuary cities, installing strategic barriers, cracking down against violent gangs like TdA, and building new border wall.

"Because of these efforts, Texas has decreased illegal crossings into the state by 87%," said Mahaleris. "Texas has held the line against the Biden-Harris border crisis for the past four years, and Governor Abbott looks forward to continuing to work closely with President Trump and his incoming administration to protect our state and the nation." 

President-elect Trump announced the Gulf of Mexico is getting a new name. 

"We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory," Trump said on Tuesday. "The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it's appropriate."

Trump made the announcement in his first press conference since Congress certified his election win over Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday from Mar-a-Lago. He opened the press event by announcing DAMAC Properties will invest $20 billion in new data centers across the country in addition to previewing a bevy of policy issues ahead of his inauguration this month. 

TRUMP ANNOUNCES $20 BILLION IN NEW DATA CENTERS IN POST-CERTIFICATION ADDRESS

The Gulf of Mexico is a partly enclosed sea that borders states such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, as well as Mexico.

DONALD TRUMP JR TAKES PERSONAL TRIP TO GREENLAND AFTER PRESIDENT-ELECT FLOATS PURCHASING COUNTRY

Trump did not detail how his administration would go about renaming the body of water, but went on to slam Mexico for the immigration woes in the U.S. under the Biden White House. 

"Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country. They can stop them. And we’re going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada, because Canada, they come through Canada too, and the drugs that are coming through are at record numbers, record numbers. So we’re going to make up for that by putting tariffs on Mexico and Canada, substantial tariffs," he said. 

BIDEN MOVING TO BAN OIL AND GAS LEASES FOR 20 YEARS IN NEVADA REGION, JUST WEEKS BEFORE TRUMP INAUGURATION

 Trump's pledge is his latest remark regarding land territories, including potentially expanding the U.S. 

MISS. LAWMAKER: 'GULF OF AMERICA' BILL WAS A JOKE

Trump has referred to Canada as the nation's "51st state," while his son and other Trump allies traveled to Greenland this week following Trump repeatedly calling for the U.S. to acquire the autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. 

"As someone who has traveled to some fascinating places across the globe as an outdoorsman, I’m excited to stop into Greenland for a little bit of fun this week," Donald Trump Jr. told Fox News Digital of his trip to Greenland. 

A source familiar told Fox News Digital that Trump Jr. is "popping in for a quick day-long trip to shoot some fun video content for podcasting." Trump Jr. is not meeting with government officials while in Greenland, Fox Digital previously reported. 

Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom and Brooke Signman contributed to this report.

South American organized crime groups were reportedly behind the break-ins at the homes of professional athletes over the course of recent months.

The FBI warned professional sports leagues about the targeted home invasions in a Liaison Information Report, ABC News reported Monday. 

The report said the groups conduct "physical and technical surveillance" to prep for the burglaries. They use social media to get an idea of where and when a person will gone from their home, and then they make their mark.

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The so-called "perception" that the athletes may have designer goods, expensive jewelry and cash make them targets, according to the report. The "organized theft groups" reportedly robbed the homes of at least nine professional athletes.

"While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some burglaries occur while residents are home. In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted," the report stated, according to ABC News.

The FBI released a statement to Fox News Digital later Monday.

NBC OMITS 'REDSKINS' FROM EX-STAR QB'S JERSEY AS JAYDEN DANIELS SETS FRANCHISE MARK, DRAWS FAN BACKLASH

"While we cannot confirm or deny the existence of any specific investigations, the FBI monitors potential threats and regularly shares information with our law enforcement partners and the private sector to help protect public safety," the agency said. "As always, we ask members of the public to report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement."

NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow have all been the target of burglaries in recent months. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was also burglarized recently.

The NFL issued a security alert to players about home burglaries in November, according to the NFL Network.

Sources told the network at the time it was believed a South American crime organization was behind the string of robberies.

"It's legit," a source told the NFL Network last month. "It's a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they've focused on NBA and NFL players, and it's all over the country."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

President-elect Trump got the attention of Panama and the entire international community when he said this week that the United States would demand that Panamanian officials return control of the Panama Canal to the United States if Panama does not halt the "rip-off" of the United States.

Trump made the case that the United States built it, paid for it and that President Jimmy Carter "foolishly gave it away."

President José Raúl Mulino shot back that the Panama Canal belongs to Panama. Trump noted that "it was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions. You got to treat us fairly and they haven’t treated us fairly."

Make no mistake what Trump is doing is negotiating a new treaty for the Panama Canal and hence, a better deal for the American people. This is much akin to the playbook executed by President Teddy Roosevelt, who maneuvered a complex situation involving the French, the government of Colombia, and the Panamanian people to build the Panama Canal.

PANAMA'S PRESIDENT HITS BACK AT TRUMP IDEA TO RECLAIM KEY CANAL

The Panama Canal is vital to free commerce and the national security interests of the United States. Approximately 73% of all ships coming through the Panama Canal are heading to or coming from U.S. ports. 

It is also vital for international supply chains and global maritime trade itself. It played a huge role in the shipping of goods needed by allied forces during World War II, and thousands of U.S. troops were stationed there to guarantee its security.

Most concerning now is the growing influence of Communist China in Central and South America. In 2017, under the administration of former Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, Panama switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Communist China. The then Trump administration went into action and, following a visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in October of 2018, the Varela government canceled five infrastructure projects with Chinese companies.

'AMERICA FIRST' VS. 'AMERICA LAST': WHAT DOES TRUMP'S RETURN MEAN FOR US FOREIGN POLICY?

Craig Fuller, CEO at FreightWaves, recently pointed out that there are concerns that "China might embed surveillance technology within the Canal’s infrastructure, which could be used to monitor U.S. naval and commercial movements." He further notes that this potential for espionage increases strategic risks and could provide China with key insights into U.S. logistics and military operations. 

This certainly helps explain why the commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson, told the House Armed Services Committee earlier this year that "China is exercising our playbook of being present economically and equipping the United States’ hemispheric neighbors militarily." From a timing standpoint, the new president of Panama, who took office earlier this year, is seen as being more aligned with Trump philosophically, and thus, much better to negotiate with.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S SYRIA DILEMMA: INTERVENE OR LET IT TURN INTO TERROR STATE

It is important to understand the history of the Panama Canal treaty. President Carter negotiated giving full control of the canal in 1977 to Gen. Omar Torrijos, the military leader of Panama who took power in a coup d’état. He was also an ally of Manuel Noriega’s. 

The giveaway of the Panama Canal was hugely unpopular in the United States and was one of the reasons why Ronald Reagan was able to close the gap in his 1976 GOP presidential challenge to President Gerald Ford. As Reagan was preparing for his subsequent and successful run for the presidency in 1980, he addressed this issue in a speech at Western Kentucky University. 

There he blasted the Carter administration for moving forward with the transfer of the canal to "a man (Omar Torrijos) who’s there, not because he had the most votes, but because he had the most guns." Reagan went on to say internationally that the world would not see the giveaway of the canal "as a magnanimous gesture on our part…" but as "once again America backing away and retreating in the face of trouble."

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One thing that many observers are overlooking is that many legal scholars agree that a United States president has the power to rescind or terminate a treaty. For example, President George W. Bush unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002.

Likewise, President William MicKinley terminated certain articles in a commercial treaty with Switzerland, and President Calvin Coolidge withdrew the United States from a convention to prevent smuggling with Mexico. 

And during World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt unilaterally terminated a number of treaties. Look for Trump to use this threat to negotiate a treaty, or at least extract concessions, from the Panamanian government.

Trump has inherited the most complex foreign policy landscape a commander in chief has ever faced. Whether it is the growing threat of Communist China, the thought of Iran with nuclear weapons, turmoil in the Middle East, or the Russian-Ukraine situation, Trump is facing constant national security challenges on the world stage. 

Yes, it is an international chess game and, thus far, America’s incoming commander in chief is playing it like the late World Chess champion Bobby Fischer.

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