Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and other Central American and Caribbean countries in the coming weeks, multiple sources confirmed to CBS News.

The trip, expected to be his first overseas as US envoy, is set to include Panama to meet with leaders there as President Trump calls for the US to retake operational control. Panama Canal. His stops in other Central American countries are likely to focus on formalizing agreements with those countries to take back citizens deported from the United States as part of the new Trump administration. immigration policy several Latin American governments, including Guatemala, have signaled they are open to new agreements.

Rubio's confirmation this week as the first Latino secretary of state has been closely watched across the hemisphere by governments interested in his rise and eager to gain more attention from American officials, especially his top diplomat, who has personal ties to the region and a long history of work. : public criticism of communist and socialist governments.

One person familiar with the planning, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly about current planning, said Rubio “probably won't come next week, but the first week of February.”

Panama's government has not announced any expected visit, but its president made strong statements on inauguration day and on inauguration day, denying President Trump's claim that China now controls the Panama Canal. He vowed that the key transit point would remain under Panamanian control and the US would not take it back.

The trip to Panama comes as Mr Trump said in his inauguration speech that former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29 aged 100, had “stupidly” returned control of the canal to Panama.

“We have been treated very badly by this stupid gift that should never have been given,” Mr Trump said. “And Panama's promise to us has been broken. The intent of our deal and the spirit of our treaty have been grossly overburdened and unfairly treated in any way shape or form. That includes the United States Navy and, above all, China's exploitation is the Panama Canal, and we didn't give it to China, and we're taking it back.

In addition to the Panamanian comments, migration from Central America is a high priority for the Trump administration, and Mr. Trump has already signed executive actions that lay the groundwork for his sweeping deportation program and designation of cartels and gangs as terrorist groups.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Sunday on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” that the Trump administration will “go after the criminal gangs that terrorize our cities,” specifically citing MS-13 and Tren De Aragua. Venezuela will not accept deportees from Tren De Aragua, and Waltz said the Trump administration is talking is with third countries on their admission.

Margaret Brennan

Margaret Brennan is the host of Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan. He is also the network's chief foreign affairs correspondent in Washington, D.C., and a correspondent for “60 Minutes.”