U.S. Secretary of State Rubio to Visit Mexico and Ecuador Next Week

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Mexico and Ecuador from September 2-4, 2025, to push forward President Donald Trump’s priorities of tackling illegal immigration, fighting drug cartels, and countering China’s growing influence in Latin America, according to the State Department.

This will be Rubio’s first trip to Mexico as the nation’s top diplomat and his third visit to the region in the past seven months. In Mexico City, Rubio will sit down with President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday and Wednesday to talk about working together on migration and drug trafficking issues.

Sheinbaum, who has had a polite but sometimes tense relationship with Trump, has promised to address undocumented migration and crack down on cartels. However, she’s made it clear she won’t allow U.S. military involvement, stressing Mexico’s independence. 

• Marco Rubio to visit Mexico, Ecuador on migration, cartels, and China ties
• U.S. Secretary of State Rubio meets Sheinbaum, Noboa on security and trade
• Rubio’s Latin America trip pushes Trump agenda on tariffs and drug crisis

While she hinted that Rubio’s visit could lead to a new security agreement, a U.S. official suggested the focus will be on practical steps rather than big statements about sovereignty. Mexico is currently dealing with 25% U.S. tariffs on fentanyl, though most trade under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement remains tariff-free.

On Wednesday, Rubio will head to Ecuador to meet with President Daniel Noboa, who recently won a second term. The discussions will center on encouraging Ecuador to pull back from China’s influence, especially its ties to the Belt and Road initiative, which has left the country with heavy debt. A U.S. official called Ecuador a “cautionary tale” about the risks of partnering with China and said Rubio aims to support Noboa’s efforts to ease this financial strain. They’ll also talk about Ecuador’s rising violence, with over 5,200 homicides reported this year, and Noboa’s request for U.S. military support, though major deals on troop presence seem unlikely.

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As the first Latino U.S. Secretary of State, Rubio will also address Trump’s tariff policies, including Mexico’s recent exemption from 30% tariffs and Ecuador’s 15% tariffs. The trip highlights the U.S. focus on strengthening security and economic ties in the region amid global trade challenges.