US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Colombia to sign critical minerals and civil nuclear agreements
Quick Look
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Colombia on Tuesday to meet President Abelardo de la Espriella and sign agreements on critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation, marking the first visit by a cabinet-level US official since the Colombian president took office a month ago.
- The discussions also addressed Colombia's ties to China, including its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese investment in critical infrastructure.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Colombia holds significant coal, nickel, and copper deposits and has been mapping reserves of metals used in batteries and electronics, sectors where China dominates global supply chains. The visit marks the first cabinet-level US official trip to Colombia since President Abelardo de la Espriella took office a month ago.
Washington’s top diplomat lands in Barranquilla on first leg of three-country tour, with critical minerals, civil nuclear deals to be signed
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Igor Patrickin Rio de Janeiro
Published: 3:53am, 9 Sep 2026
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Colombia on Tuesday to meet President Abelardo de la Espriella, sign agreements on critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation and take up the country’s ties to China, in the first visit by a cabinet-level US official since the Colombian leader took office a month ago.
Colombia’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Chinese investment in critical infrastructure were on the agenda for the meeting, a Colombian official who was not authorised to speak publicly told the South China Morning Post.
“We have a lot of common interest with them, both taking on regional transnational criminal terrorism and also economic engagements,” Rubio told reporters before the trip.
“It’s part of a trend that you’re seeing in the Western Hemisphere of alignment with US and US interests.”
The New York Times first reported that trade relations with China would be on the agenda, citing two people familiar with the trip. The Chinese embassy in Bogota and the US State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Why the US is worried about China’s growing influence in South America
Colombia holds coal, nickel and copper deposits and has been mapping reserves of the metals used in batteries and electronics, a supply chain China dominates worldwide. Neither government said in advance which minerals the agreement covers.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The US and Colombia will finalize agreements on critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation during Secretary Rubio's visit
Very likely · Within days
Colombia will face increasing diplomatic pressure to choose between aligning more closely with US or Chinese interests in South America
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Which specific minerals are covered in the critical minerals agreement between the US and Colombia?
- What are the exact terms of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement being signed?
- How will Colombia balance its relationships with the US and China moving forward?
- What specific infrastructure projects in Colombia are funded by Chinese investment under the Belt and Road Initiative?
