US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed security and drug trafficking with his Mexican counterpart, as Washington looks to play a more assertive role across Latin America. The US has in recent months unveiled a series of prosecutions and sanctions against senior Mexican officials that have added to trade tensions with its southern neighbor, and a Rubio deputy warned many more indictments would come soon.
The moves are part of the Trump administrationâs âDonroe Doctrineâ of exerting greater influence over the Western Hemisphere to counter Chinaâs rising regional power. As part of the plan, Washington is reportedly eyeing a ground campaign against criminal groups after striking dozens of alleged drug smuggling vessels off Latin American waters.