Earlier today Secretary Rubio briefed the media pool from Homestead Air Reserve Base [😁] as he prepared for a trip to Latin America. For the specific purpose and intents of the trip, Secretary Rubio directed the media attention to the Western Hemisphere approach outlined in the 2026 National Security Strategy [See Page, 15].
The video and transcript are below:
[Transcript] – SECRETARY RUBIO: So this is an important trip, obviously. We’re going to go visit three countries strongly aligned with the United States. We have a lot of common interests with them, both taking on regional transnational criminal terrorism and also economic engagements. We’re hoping to wrap up good, solid trade deals with all three of these countries in the foreseeable future. And of course, a lot of strong cultural links.
So I think it’s part of a trend that you’re seeing in the Western Hemisphere of alignment with the U.S. and U.S. interests. If you read our National Security Strategy – I’m sure all of you have read it very carefully page by page – it outlines one of our priorities is strengthening our presence in the Western Hemisphere. And I think this trip and these meetings, as much as anything else, is continuing to further that goal as part of that strategy.
QUESTION: Secretary Rubio, why not travel to Venezuela on this trip? As you mentioned, this is all about the Western Hemisphere.



