U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited Panama and El Salvador as part of a tour of five Central American nations. During his stay, Rubio witnessed the deportation of migrants as part of the United States' efforts to control migration.
In Panama, Rubio praised the country's cooperation by allowing the landing of flights with deportees from third countries and returning migrants before they reach the United States. On the other hand, he briefly threatened Colombia with sanctions for initially refusing some deportation flights.
In El Salvador, Rubio revealed that President Nayib Bukele had agreed to accept deported individuals of any nationality and also violent U.S. criminals currently incarcerated in the United States. This offer was considered "extraordinary" by Rubio.
During his visit, Rubio signed an agreement on civil energy with the Salvadoran Foreign Minister and discussed the importance of combating illegal migration. Despite criticisms from human rights advocacy groups regarding the potential lack of clear policies for receiving asylum seekers, El Salvador appeared willing to cooperate.
In both countries, Rubio highlighted the need to control illegal migration and the importance of international cooperation on this issue. The Secretary of State was present at the departure of a flight in Panama with deported migrants and emphasized that these actions send a message of deterrence worldwide.
