# U.S. diplomatic engagement in Latin America > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-diplomatic-engagement-in-latin-america > Updated: 2026-09-10T06:04:16.000Z. Sources: 276. Developments: 7. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has concluded a diplomatic tour of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru aimed at strengthening security, economic, and political ties under the “Donroe Doctrine” and the “Shield of the Americas” (Escudo de las Américas) initiative. In Colombia, Rubio and President Abelardo de la Espriella, alongside Foreign Minister Omar Bula, formalized the “Barranquilla Agreements.” These accords establish a roadmap for security, civil nuclear energy cooperation, the legalization of mining, and the securing of supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements. The pact also seeks to modernize public security forces to combat narcoterrorism and illegal armed groups like the ELN. While officials welcomed the cooperation, Colombian Senator Iván Cepeda criticized the engagement, comparing it to “colonial-era inspections by the Spanish Crown.” Following subsequent discussions in Barranquilla, President De la Espriella emphasized that regional stability is tied to the 2,000-kilometer border with Venezuela, noting that Venezuelan developments impact Colombia through security, migration, narcotics, and energy concerns. To address these issues, De la Espriella proposed the “Plan Patriota Siglo XXI” to the U.S. government to modernize the Colombian Armed Forces. In Ecuador, Rubio met with President Daniel Noboa, designating the Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organization with alleged links to Mexican cartels. The U.S. announced plans to seek $45 million from Congress to support Ecuadorian security and will provide maritime support, including a Coast Guard cutter and interceptor vessels. Concluding the tour in Peru, Rubio met with President Keiko Fujimori to finalize Peru’s incorporation into the “Shield of the Americas” coalition to combat transnational organized crime, a move Rubio described as the beginning of a “golden era” in U.S.-Peru relations. However, Peruvian opposition has raised questions regarding the legal framework and the extent of U.S. military or intelligence involvement. ## Claims - A recent earthquake in Colombia resulted in at least 330 deaths and left thousands homeless. (disputed by 20 sources) - A recent earthquake in Colombia resulted in approximately 300 deaths and thousands of injuries. (disputed by 9 sources) - Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa awarded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the National Order of Merit, Grand Cross. (disputed by 6 sources) - Marco Rubio will meet with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. (corroborated by 39 sources) - The trip will focus on earthquake response in Colombia, fighting narcoterrorism, and deepening commercial relationships. (corroborated by 30 sources) - Peru has officially joined the Escudo de las Américas security coalition. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Marco Rubio will meet with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori. (corroborated by 21 sources) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is conducting a regional tour of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to strengthen security and economic ties. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The tour aims to strengthen key United States alliances in South America. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The Escudo de las Américas is a coalition of right-wing governments in Latin America. (corroborated by 19 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Marco Rubio outlines U.S. maritime drug interdiction protocols U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that maritime operations against drug traffickers involve legal reviews and increased cooperation with regional partner nations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marco-rubio-outlines-us-maritime-drug-interdiction-protocols ### 2026-09-09: Marco Rubio strengthens security alliances in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured South America, signing security pacts in Colombia, designating an Ecuadorian gang as a terrorist group, and confirming Peru's entry into the Shield of the Americas. 42 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marco-rubio-and-colombia-sign-barranquilla-agreements-on-minerals-and-security ### 2026-09-09: Colombia and U.S. announce security and modernization roadmap Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new bilateral roadmap focusing on regional stability, border security, and military modernization. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-and-us-announce-security-and-modernization-roadmap ### 2026-09-08: Peru joins Escudo de las Américas security coalition Peru has joined the Escudo de las Américas security coalition following a meeting between President Keiko Fujimori and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to combat transnational organized crime. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marco-rubio-arrives-in-peru-to-meet-president-keiko-fujimori ### 2026-09-07: Marco Rubio tours Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to strengthen regional security U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is touring Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to bolster security cooperation, integrate Peru into the Shield of the Americas, and address transnational organized crime. 205 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marco-rubio-begins-south-american-tour-to-strengthen-regional-alliances ### 2026-09-04: Marco Rubio to visit Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru for security and trade talks U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru from September 8-10, 2026, to discuss security, narcoterrorism, and trade, and to support Colombia's earthquake recovery. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marco-rubio-to-visit-ecuador-colombia-and-peru ### 2026-08-22: Marco Rubio and Víctor Bisonó discuss U.S.-Dominican Republic relations U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Dominican Foreign Minister Víctor Bisonó discussed strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on trade, investment, and digital infrastructure security. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-expands-sanctions-against-cuban-state-entities --- Cite as: U.S. diplomatic engagement in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-diplomatic-engagement-in-latin-america