US Joins Cambodia-Thailand Talks in Malaysia, Says Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared that American officials are in Malaysia to support peace talks between Cambodia and Thailand, starting today. The aim is to broker a ceasefire and halt the recent violence along their shared border.

The State Department underscored America’s dedication to ending the conflict, which has taken over 30 lives and displaced more than 200,000 people.

The root of the conflict lies in a long-running dispute over an 817-km stretch of unmarked border. Things escalated after a Cambodian soldier’s death in May, and fighting broke out again on July 24, marking the worst clashes in over a decade. Both nations have traded blame, each claiming the other started the artillery attacks.

• U.S. Supports Cambodia-Thailand Peace Talks in Malaysia to End Border Conflict
• Over 30 Dead, 200,000 Displaced as Cambodia-Thailand Border Crisis Sparks Global Concern
• Trump Links Trade Deals to Ceasefire as U.S. and China Co-Host ASEAN Peace Talks

Thailand reports 13 civilian deaths, while Cambodia confirms eight. The conflict has centered around contested areas, including the Preah Vihear temple, which the International Court of Justice granted to Cambodia in 1962. Tensions flared again when Cambodia sought UNESCO status for the site in 2008.

President Donald Trump has taken an active role, speaking with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Trump made it clear that trade deals with both countries depend on resolving the conflict. Rubio backed this up, saying, “We want this violence to end quickly.” The talks, hosted by Malaysia as the ASEAN chair and co-organized by the U.S. and China, are set to begin at 3 p.m. in Kuala Lumpur.

Despite earlier ceasefire efforts led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, both sides have struggled to find common ground. Thailand prefers one-on-one talks, while Cambodia has pushed for international help, including from the International Court of Justice. The U.S.’s involvement has sparked some debate, with analysts seeing it as a move to balance China’s growing influence in Southeast Asia.

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As the talks get underway, people around the world are hoping for a resolution that restores peace to the region.