Marco Rubio, a Hispanic at the Helm of Diplomacy with a Hardline Stance on Cuba and Venezuela
Despite challenging Donald Trump in the 2016 primaries, Republican Senator Marco Rubio’s political career continued its ascent, and this Monday he became the Secretary of State in Trump’s new administration, being the first Hispanic to lead U.S. diplomacy.
Rubio, 53, the son of Cuban immigrants, arrives at Foggy Bottom (the headquarters of the State Department) as a “hawk” in foreign policy, advocating a hardline stance toward China and Iran and focusing heavily on Latin America, where he supports sanctions against Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Thanks to his diplomatic skills and strong relationships with his Senate colleagues, where he has served as Florida’s senator since 2010, Rubio became the first member of Trump’s cabinet confirmed for the position, just hours after the president was inaugurated.
Born in Miami, Marco Rubio is a traditional politician who respects institutions, which facilitated the Senate’s swift approval, unlike other, more controversial Trump nominees.
Plans to End the War in Ukraine
This skilled orator has also wielded significant influence over Republican foreign policy positions from the Senate.
Rubio vehemently condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine but, aligning with Trump, voted last April against sending new arms to Kyiv because the budget did not include additional funding to restrict immigration.
Now Rubio joins an administration that has set ending the war in Ukraine quickly as a goal, even if that could lead to Russia annexing occupied territories.
During his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Rubio urged both Ukraine and Russia to make “concessions” to achieve peace and warned that “it is not realistic” to return to pre-invasion borders.
Due to his personal history, Rubio has a strong interest in Latin America and has consistently criticized leftist governments in the region from the Senate, advocating maximum pressure on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Though he said the final decision rests with the president, Rubio expressed support for designating Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, a sanction former President Joe Biden lifted last week just days before leaving office.
He also denounced Venezuela as being led by a “narcogovernment” under Nicolás Maduro and left the door open to revoking the license allowing Chevron to extract oil in the South American country.
From Challenging Trump to Becoming His Secretary of State
This senator gained national prominence in 2016 when he sought the Republican presidential nomination in primaries ultimately won by Donald Trump, who later went on to win the election.
During those primaries, Trump belittled him by calling him ‘Little Marco,’ but after dropping out of the race, the senator showed strong loyalty to the New York magnate.
Rubio was on the shortlist as a potential running mate for Donald Trump’s vice presidency before Trump ultimately chose J.D. Vance.
Following Trump’s electoral victory, after a campaign in which Rubio played a key role, the New York magnate decided to reward him with the position of U.S. Secretary of State, a role never before held by a Latino.
Marco Rubio’s Appointment to Diplomacy
Rubio’s appointment was also seen as a nod from Trump to Hispanic voters, an electorate that shifted toward the Republican in the presidential election, allowing him to achieve historic gains in that community.
However, some members of Trump’s inner diplomatic circle view Rubio with skepticism, believing his ‘hawkish’ profile contrasts with Trump’s “America First” isolationist policies.
Unlike his predecessor, Antony Blinken, an experienced diplomat and national security advisor, Rubio is a career politician who has already demonstrated presidential ambitions.
It remains to be seen whether the State Department will hold sway in major foreign policy decisions or if Trump, who distrusts career diplomats, will opt to centralize everything in the White House.
A cum laude graduate in law from the University of Miami (UM), he is married to Jeanette Dousdebes, an American of Colombian descent who was a cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins during her college years. They have four children: Amanda, Daniella, Anthony, and Dominic.
