Washington, DC.- Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to embark on his inaugural tour, which includes a visit to the Dominican Republic and several other Latin American countries.

The new Secretary of State already has said the Hong Kong-based operator of Panama Canal-adjacent ports could be a "big national security and defense problem."

The Central American region is looking to the United Kingdom to boost its visitor numbers this year. According to a note published by <a target=_bla

Marco Rubio will travel to Panama on his first trip abroad as secretary of State. The visit comes as Donald Trump looks to reclaim Panama's canal.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Central America comes after President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to take the Panama Canal back.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Panama on his first trip abroad as the top U.S. diplomat after President

Newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to embark on his inaugural tour, which includes a visit to the Dominican Republic and several other Latin American countries. Slated for late January to early February,

The visit follows controversial remarks by President Donald Trump last month claiming that "wonderful soldiers of China" were operating the Panama Canal "lovingly but illegally." Trump also threatened that the US would "retake" the key canal, which it originally built in the early 20th century.

China's expanding footprint in Latin America is expected to be high on the agenda when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Panama next week on his first overseas trip since taking office, according to observers.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Panama on his first overseas trip amid President Trump’s controversial remarks about reclaiming the Panama Canal. Rubio's itinerary includes Guatemala, the Dominican Republic,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make his first official trip abroad next week to Central America, including a stop in Panama, which President Donald Trump has riled with talk of trying to reclaim the Panama Canal.

Mr Rubio will visit Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Read more at straitstimes.com.