Marco Rubio to visit Colombia, Ecuador and Peru

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Colombia, Ecuador and Peru from September 8 to 10, the State Department said Friday.

The department said the trip is intended to strengthen US partnerships, increase cooperation against drug cartels and deepen trade relations. Spokesman Tommy Pigott said Rubio would reaffirm the Trump administration's commitment to "a secure, prosperous, and democratic Western Hemisphere."

In Colombia, the State Department said Rubio will discuss US support for Bogota after last month's earthquake, which left more than 330 people dead and thousands homeless. Rubio is also due to meet Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa.

The trip comes days after Washington sealed a deal with Venezuela that grants the United States control of about one-fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves. Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have leaders described as close to President Donald Trump.