US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Barranquilla, Colombia, starting a three-nation tour of Latin America. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.

During the visit, Rubio is meeting US-aligned conservative leaders as the Trump administration steps up military operations to combat drug trafficking and seeks further inroads in the Western Hemisphere to improve America's energy standing and combat illegal migration.

A week after sealing a massive oil deal with Venezuelan leaders, Rubio arrived in neighboring Colombia to meet President Abelardo de la Espriella. Colombia's new leader has embraced President Donald Trump's policies on issues from drugs to immigration and energy.

The two plan to sign a civil nuclear cooperation deal and a critical minerals agreement during the visit to Barranquilla on the Caribbean. De la Espriella is one of a new generation of right-wing conservatives to win election and show support for Trump's muscular approach to a region that had tilted leftward in recent decades.

"We have a lot of common interest with them, both taking on regional transnational criminal terrorism and also economic engagements," Rubio told reporters about the three countries. "It's part of a trend that you're seeing in the Western Hemisphere of alignment with U.S. and U.S. interests."

Asked why he wasn't making a stop in Venezuela, Rubio said that he will visit "eventually" but that there was not time to add another stop. He also defended the Venezuela deal, saying the oil fields were "once dominated by China and Russia and Iran" but never tapped for production.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez agreed last week to give the U.S. control of roughly one-fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves — the largest in the world.

While the deal could eventually generate billions for an economy wrecked by years of mismanagement, many Venezuelans say they believe gaining control of Venezuelan oil was the ultimate objective when Trump ordered U.S. forces in January to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro.

The oil fields are "going to generate royalties and revenues for the Venezuelan people, eventually through a democratically elected government — hopefully sooner rather than later — and directly benefit the people of Venezuela as opposed to going into the pocket of some, you know, corrupt government official or in the hands of American and Venezuelan adversaries," Rubio said.

Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula said in a video released Tuesday that Rubio's visit marks the beginning of "rebuilding a strategic alliance with the United States, our main partner in the region." He affirmed that Colombia will focus on discussing security, which includes combating drug trafficking, trade, and the defense of "shared values."

De la Espriella has promised to take a hard line against drug traffickers and pledges to deport thousands of migrants who are in Colombia without residence permits, mainly Venezuelans, as he tries to make significant changes to the nation's immigration policies that he says will reduce crime.

After taking office last month, De la Espriella brought Colombia into the Americas Counter Cartels Coalition and strengthened long-standing security cooperation with the United States, following strained relations during the 2022-2026 administration of progressive Gustavo Petro.

Former presidential candidate Iván Cepeda, a Petro ally, said on X that Rubio's visit appears to be an "act of surrendering strategic aspects of our sovereignty," especially because "agreements that commit the country's mineral and energy wealth" will be signed and matters of national security will be discussed.

In just a month in office, De la Espriella has carried out at least three military operations.