Marco Rubio completes Latin American tour to combat organized crime

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a high-profile diplomatic tour of Latin America on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The mission, spanning stops in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, focused on strengthening security cooperation between the United States and right-wing regional governments to combat drug cartels and organized crime under the "Shield of America" initiative proposed by President Donald Trump.

In Lima, Rubio met with the recently inaugurated Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, confirming Peru's formal entry into the alliance. This decision follows Peru's struggle with a deteriorating security situation, as the nation is currently the world's second-largest producer of cocaine. Fujimori expressed that the partnership will facilitate faster intelligence sharing, citing the recent arrest of a leader from the Los Pulpos gang with FBI assistance. Prior to this, in Quito, Rubio and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa discussed labeling criminal gangs as terrorists.

The tour underscores a shift in regional policy, aiming to consolidate a unified front against criminal organizations. As the partnership deepens, the U.S. and its regional allies intend to increase surveillance and law enforcement pressure across their borders, with further coordination on security intelligence expected in the coming months.