The United States Senate This Monday unanimously confirmed Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the new Secretary of State of the country, becoming the first Hispanic to lead US diplomacy. Rubio, 53 years old and the son of Cuban immigrants, is the first confirmed to the cabinet of the new Administration of President Donald Trump, who took office hours before.
A senator since 2010, Marco Rubio, who did not receive a single vote against his confirmation, has earned the respect of his House colleagues over the years, which facilitated a quick confirmation for the position, unlike other nominees for the much more controversial cabinet.
Democratic Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer He instructed his caucus to vote in favor of Rubio’s confirmation because, “despite our differences,” “it is appropriate.”while recalling that the Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved his confirmation hours before. Schumer warned Trump that the Senate will not give the same support to the rest of Trump’s nominees for his new Cabinet. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, assured that she has a “very good working relationship” with the new Secretary of State and has demonstrated in her confirmation hearing “her mastery of foreign policy issues.”
Rubio is considered a hard-line foreign policy hawk and a great expert on international issues.especially from Latin America. In the Senate he has maintained a line position with China and Iran, and has expressed support for sanctions against Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. During his confirmation hearing, he also showed willing to seek a ceasefire agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
Rubio gained national popularity in 2016 when he attempted to win the Republican presidential nomination in a primary in which Donald Trump was ultimately elected. During those primaries, Trump belittled him by calling him ‘Little Marco,’ but the senator later expressed his support and loyalty. In the last election campaign, Rubio was in the pools as a possible running mate for Donald Trump for the Vice Presidency, before he finally opted for JD Vance.
After the elections, Trump chose to appoint him as Secretary of State, which was interpreted as a wink towards the Latin populationwho voted for the Republican in record numbers.
