U.S. Senator Marco Rubio began a South American tour on Tuesday, September 8, starting with a visit to Colombia. During his trip, he met with Abelardo de la Espriella, who was recently elected president of Colombia and took office on August 7. The tour, which will continue with stops in Ecuador and Peru, aims to strengthen U.S. influence in the region, as reported by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. This comes amid tense relations between the United States and Colombia's previous leftist president, Gustavo Petro, which have been highlighted by Spanish media. De la Espriella emphasized after the meeting that Colombia seeks to reposition itself as the leading U.S. partner in regional security matters. According to El Espectador, Rubio and de la Espriella signed agreements that will take effect within six months. These agreements outline a series of measures designed to promote a joint program focused on energy security, the transition to cleaner energy sources, industrial competitiveness, technological innovation, and the strengthening of institutional capacities. The U.S. has also expressed willingness to assist Colombia in developing its civil nuclear program and potentially modernizing its military equipment, such as planes, radars, drones, and helicopters, to help combat drug trafficking. Rubio's focus on drug trafficking will continue during his visit to Ecuador on September 9. As reported by El Comercio, the goal of this visit is to reinforce Ecuador's role as a strategic partner in the fight against transnational organized crime and illicit economies. The Ecuadorian newspaper also notes that Rubio's entire tour should be viewed as part of a broader strategy. Recent political victories in Colombia and Peru—where de la Espriella and Keiko Fujimori, both aligned with Washington, have taken power—have created an opportunity for the United States to expand its influence in South America, particularly through support for right-wing leaders. The broader context of Rubio's trip reflects a U.S. effort to reassert its presence in South America, where shifting political dynamics have opened new avenues for cooperation. By engaging with newly elected leaders in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, the U.S. hopes to build stronger alliances and address regional challenges, particularly in the areas of security and drug trafficking.