Marco Rubio Pushes Trump’s Agenda on Latin American Leaders

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been meeting with Latin American leaders in Washington DC to push Trump’s Latin America agenda

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s last trip through Latin America was embarrassing for the administration. Rubio largely fumbled his way through most of it as leadership in other countries directly confronted him about comments he had made and was treated as if he weren’t a serious broker, but merely endured due to diplomatic obligations. The comically tragic trip resulted in other countries agreeing to bilateral agreements that were already in place, but he and Trump gleefully took credit for.

This time, after the attack on Venezuela, it appears the White House might have preferred he handle diplomacy via telephone calls and a couple of visits with dignitaries from the region. The extent of Rubio’s diplomatic efforts was mostly ensuring they still had the support of the right-wing governments and trade partners, and to tamp down any concerns about continued attacks on Venezuela. The details of his calls were not made public, but the readouts were all essentially the same.

Rubio’s calls included the foreign ministers of Mexico, Paraguay, and Argentina, and the readouts didn’t deviate much. But when it came to his phone call with the Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, Rubio ensured he showed his gratitude for the US and Guyana’s partnership, which includes issuing licenses to ExxonMobil to continue drilling in the disputed Essequibo waters.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali to discuss further strengthening bilateral security cooperation,” says the readout from the State Department Office of the Spokesperson. He commended President Ali for his leadership as a regional security partner and for Guyana’s growing role in promoting stability across our hemisphere.”

Rubio didn’t provide much fanfare for Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Notably, the readout about his call with Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Albert Ramdin, who questioned the recent presidential election results in Honduras, made no mention of the elections or Ramdin’s statements. The focus was instead entirely on Venezuela.

“The Secretary thanked Secretary General Ramdin for providing a forum for open exchange and constructive dialogue, and underscored the importance of keeping the institution focused on how best to address the challenges facing the people of Venezuela,” says the readout.

Then, on Monday, Honduran President-elect Nasry Asfura met with Rubio in Washington just one day after the Honduran Congress ordered a recount of its most recent presidential election. The next day, Rubio met with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vasquez to discuss Venezuela and not much else, aside from bilateral agreements between the two countries.

Rubio extended pushing the Trump administration’s dominion of Latin America agenda on other world leaders such as France, Germany, and all other G7 countries, along with Spain and several smaller countries such as Cyprus and Belgium. Each addressed some country-specific issues, but each call focused on the US attack on Venezuela and the US’s actions in the Caribbean. It seems likely that any one of these dignitaries could have pointed out that the US is not in control of Venezuela, but that’s not something the Department of State is going to include in the readouts.

Meanwhile, organizations around the world have issued countless statements against the US’s actions in the Caribbean and the kidnapping of the Venezuelan President. Additionally, many groups are also speaking out about what appears to be impending actions or a possible attack on Cuba. The Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE) offered one of the most stark reminders of what’s at risk and why actions against Cuba won’t result in regime change.

Below you’ll find ACERE’s full statement:

“President Trump Is Being Poorly Advised to Conduct a Military Intervention in Cuba

“The Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE) warns that some political sectors are openly trying to misguide President Trump by trying to convince him to authorize military intervention in Cuba. There are real risks that President Trump faces by believing that he will be “the one” who brings about Cuba’s collapse.

“Immediately after the abduction and illegal extradition of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Cuban leaders should be “worried,” saying that the U.S. has blockaded all Venezuelan oil destined for Cuba from reaching its shores. Secretary Rubio has stated that Maduro’s forced removal from power would have a devastating impact on Cuba, including delivering the last and ultimate blow to its crippled economy because of its dependency on Venezuela’s oil. However, experts have estimated that Venezuelan oil represents less than 35% of oil imported by Cuba, and that there are other major oil exporters that can compensate for a further decline in Venezuelan oil.¹

“For many years, Secretary Rubio and other Cuban American politicians have attempted to blame the Cuban government for the survival of the Venezuelan government, and have called for military intervention. Rubio has recently defended that Venezuela had been “colonized,” “intervened,” and “held hostage” by the Cuban government, ignoring the relations of cooperation that exist between both countries. At the same time that it is argued that Cuba is a “failed state” and that “there is no embargo,” it is simultaneously claimed that Cuba is a “bad example” for other countries in the region.

“Secretary Rubio’s growing influence on President Trump’s foreign policy decisions is evident. On Sunday, President Trump warned that there will be “no more oil or money going to Cuba” and that the Cuban government should “make a deal before it is too late.” Many experts have warned that this is an indication that Cuba is the next military target of the Trump Administration.

“Recently reported CIA assessments find that the current economic suffering might not lead to a government collapse.² But the political sectors that Secretary Rubio represents are certain that this time, Cuba will fall, like they were many times before. This ill-informed belief is what has kept us spending well over $25–50 million of taxpayer dollars per year for many decades.³

“Decisions based on faulty intelligence and the exaggerated influence of institutional actors with vested interests have dragged the United States into endless conflicts and wars—from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan—with incalculable costs for our nation. The risk of military confrontation is worrying, given the fact that there appears to be very little bilateral dialogue remaining. Then-Senator Rubio and other Cuban-American Congresspeople—due to their personal interests resulting from decades-old grievances—have worked diligently to eliminate any space for bilateral conversations.

“While a worsening of the economic situation in Cuba could result in social protests, there are no indications that a significant portion of the Cuban population would support U.S. intervention.⁴ Experts have argued that a collapse of the Cuban government is contrary to U.S. national interests, and would cause a massive migration and other security threats to the U.S.⁵ The Cuban opposition is much weaker than that of Venezuela,⁶ so regime change in Cuba will undoubtedly require military presence for a long period of time. A military confrontation with Cuba will undermine our counter-narcotic efforts, given thatthe Cuban government for many decades has been among the best partners in the Caribbean in terms of cooperation to fight drug and human trafficking.⁷

“Military intervention in Cuba will cause an enormous tear in the fabric of Cuban civil society; cut essential services on which the majority of the Cuban population depends; devastate the growing private sector’s ability to function and to import goods; and result in an enormous wave of uncontrollable irregular migration to our southern borders.

“ACERE reiterates that Cuba’s future belongs to the Cuban people, and it is time for the United States to normalize relations with Cuba if it is to strengthen ties with the region. Real and lasting change in Cuba can only be built through negotiation, cooperation, and respect—not military operations that endanger our own soldiers, citizens, and national interests.”

Sources

1. “Mexico risks Donald Trump’s ire with Cuban oil shipments”; “Why is Mexico suddenly Cuba’s biggest oil supplier?”

2. “Exclusive: CIA highlighted Cuba’s grim economy but gave mixed view on government falling” (Reuters), January 10, 2026.

3. “U.S. Government Democracy Projects in Cuba” (American University).

4. “Trump team puts a target on Cuba, with threats and oil blockade” (Washington Post), January 6, 2026.

5. Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Quincy Brief #78 — “U.S.–Cuban Relations: A Realist Case for Pragmatic Engagement,” William M. LeoGrande & Geoff Thale, June 25, 2025.

6. “After Venezuela, Trump Says Cuba Is ‘Ready to Fall’” (The New York Times), January 5, 2026.

7. American University Cuba Archive, “Counter-Narcotics Cooperation Documents.”

As Marco Rubio politicks his most likely to be influenced leaders in the region and beyond, the White House has made it abundantly clear what they’re doing in Latin America. They are seeking control on behalf of US corporate interests and power over the people whose resources they want to steal for themselves.

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Arturo is an independent journalist whose work can be found at Unicorn Riot, The Antagonist Magazine, Latino Rebels, and more. Arturo is also on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, and Threads. To support his work, become a paid subscriber or donate via Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App.