Rubio to visit Mexico, Ecuador to discuss cartels, tariffs and migration

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to discuss taking decisive action to dismantle drug cartels, halt fentanyl trafficking, end illegal immigration and reduce tariffs during upcoming meetings in Mexico and Ecuador this week.

Rubio is expected to meet with Mexican leaders, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, on Wednesday and Ecuadoran leaders on Thursday. The trip comes the day after President Donald Trump struck a Venezuelan drug ship in the Caribbean, killing all 11 "terrorists" on board.

The visit marks the secretary's first visit to Mexico as the United States' top diplomat, and his fourth trip to the hemisphere.

"The Secretary’s fourth trip to our hemisphere demonstrates the United States’ unwavering commitment to protect its borders, neutralize narco-terrorist threats to our homeland, and ensure a level playing field for American businesses," State Department deputy spokesman Thomas Piggott said in a statement.

"Secretary Rubio’s engagements will deepen bilateral ties with Mexico and Ecuador and foster broader burden sharing across our region," he added.

Rubio told reporters that the Trump administration is going to take an offensive approach to drug cartels and drug trafficking because it "destabilizes" the Caribbean region and the United States, the Associated Press reported.

“The president has been very clear that he’s going to use the full power of America and the full might of the United States to take on and eradicate these drug cartels, no matter where they’re operating from and no matter how long they’ve been able to act with impunity,” he said. “Those days are over.”

The Trump administration has already increased the reward for information that leads to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom they have accused of leading the Tren de Aragua drug cartel.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.