During a tour of five Central American countries, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made sure it was known that the region was a priority to the United States. Ending his tour on Wednesday, February 5, Rubio's trip first trip abroad drew attention to Central America, presented by the Trump administration as a source of immigration and a region where China's presence harms American interests.

The first stop on this tour, in Panama on Sunday, February 2, was the most closely followed, following Trump's threats to "take back" the canal, claiming the neutrality treaty governing it had been violated by the presence of Chinese companies. As soon as Rubio got back on the plane, Panama announced its exit from the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, even though it had been the first Latin American country to join in 2017.

"This decision has far-reaching consequences for Panama, as it totally undermines the excellent relations it had established with China," said Marisela Connelly, a China specialist at Colegio de Mexico. "It's obviously also a blow for the Chinese government, as it had high expectations of relations with Panama."

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