Marco Rubio’s choice of Latin America for his first trip abroad as top US diplomat reinforces two of President Donald Trump’s priorities early in his second term — deportations and securing the Panama Canal from perceived Chinese control.

Envoy for special missions RICHARD GRENELL is in Caracas today and met with Venezuelan leader NICOLÁS MADURO. His trip comes as Trump has stated his continued interest in deporting thousands of Venezuelan migrants and addressing the major migration crisis the South American country’s political turmoil has created.

The U.S. president is resurrecting tactics from his first term and promising a more aggressive approach to migrant flows. Regional leaders are responding.

Rift between US and Colombia, threats of tariffs on Mexico, designs on Panama Canal and mass deportations could encourage closer ties with Beijing