Marco Rubio and State Department: Focus on Western Hemisphere Important

The news of Marco Rubio’s nomination as secretary of state surely ruined many a despot’s day, particularly in Latin America. The persistence of Marxist ideology — coupled with China’s growing influence in the region — has long had a pernicious effect on the Americas, affording power to bad actors and eroding regional security. The last several American administrations may have ignored the Monroe Doctrine but it’s past time for the Department of State to re-examine regional priorities — not through a clouded lens of apologetic political correctness but with a clear-eyed focus on security, prosperity, and democracy. Senator Rubio is the man to do it.

As the ranking member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations, Rubio understands the strategic importance of Latin America more than State Department careerists. And as a Cuban-American senator serving the State of Florida, he represents U.S. citizens who have fled countries ravaged by authoritarian regimes, Marxist guerrillas, and narco-terrorists. To these Floridians, the dangers of Communism are real, and so, too, is the anarchy that comes when democracies fail.

CB

About the Author

Christine Balling

Christine Balling is the senior vice president for professional affiliations at the Institute of World Politics. She is a former senior adviser to the U.S. Special Operations South commander.

Featured Tags

The news of Marco Rubio’s nomination as secretary of state surely ruined many a despot’s day, particularly in Latin America. The persistence of Marxist ideology — coupled with China’s growing influence in the region — has long had a pernicious effect on the Americas, affording power to bad actors and eroding regional security. The last several American administrations may have ignored the Monroe Doctrine but it’s past time for the Department of State to re-examine regional priorities — not through a clouded lens of apologetic political correctness but with a clear-eyed focus on security, prosperity, and democracy. Senator Rubio is the man to do it.

As the ranking member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations, Rubio understands the strategic importance of Latin America more than State Department careerists. And as a Cuban-American senator serving the State of Florida, he represents U.S. citizens who have fled countries ravaged by authoritarian regimes, Marxist guerrillas, and narco-terrorists. To these Floridians, the dangers of Communism are real, and so, too, is the anarchy that comes when democracies fail.

CB

About the Author

Christine Balling

Christine Balling is the senior vice president for professional affiliations at the Institute of World Politics. She is a former senior adviser to the U.S. Special Operations South commander.