Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio encountered stiff resistance in Panama. Officials said control of the country's canal is not up for negotiation. On his first foreign trip, Rubio is also visiting other Central American nations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told Panama’s president in a face-to-face meeting that the Central American ally must reduce alleged Chinese influence over the Panama Canal or the Trump administration will take “measures necessary” to do so.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is arguing that the presence of two Hong Kong companies and other Chinese firms violates a treaty Panama has with the United States.

North Korea has lashed out at U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a “rogue” state and warned that such remarks will never contribute to U.S. interests

North Korea on Monday criticised U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a "rogue state", saying his comments do not help U.S. interests, state media KCNA said. North Korea's foreign ministry said the country will respond strongly to hostile U.