SAN SALVADOR, Feb 3 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele on Monday as part of his ongoing efforts to urge Latin American countries to take more action to curb migration to the U.S. southern border.
The Trump administration views Bukele as a crucial ally in its migration strategies in the region. The Salvadoran president has implemented robust security measures in his country, leading to the arrest of over 80,000 individuals and a significant decrease in homicides. Washington attributes the drop in Salvadoran illegal migrants to the policies enforced by Bukele.
Bukele's administration has significantly reduced the number of Salvadorans attempting unauthorized entry into the U.S., which has caught the attention of the Trump administration. Since assuming office on Jan. 20, the Trump administration has intensified U.S. deportations to Latin America, including utilizing military planes for repatriation flights.
On Monday, Rubio observed 43 Colombian migrants, suspected of aiming to reach the U.S., boarding an Air Panama charter flight back to Colombia after crossing the Darien Gap.
Regarding the repatriation efforts, Rubio emphasized the importance of dissuading people from leaving their home countries, stating, The only people who benefit from mass migration are traffickers. He applauded Panama's deportation program, established in July with the previous U.S. administration under President Joe Biden, for achieving a 90% reduction in migration through the Colombia-Panama border.
Rubio underscored the significance of initiatives aimed at curbing mass migration and stated that such programs strengthen America's security and prosperity. He indicated that a waiver was required for the U.S.-funded flight on Monday and that he intends to issue a broader waiver to sustain the program.
Additionally, Rubio engaged in discussions with Panamanian officials on Sunday regarding concerns about China's activities around the Panama Canal and its involvement in migration.
The U.S. is urging Bukele to abstain from engaging in investments with China, as the latter is negotiating a free trade agreement with El Salvador, funding public ventures such as a soccer stadium, and investing in the telecommunications sector.