Washington, 1 Feb

Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarks this weekend on his first foreign trip in office, heading to Central America to press President Donald Trump's top priority – curbing illegal immigration – and bring the message that the US wants to reclaim control over the Panama Canal despite intense resistance from regional leaders.

It's an unusual destination for the maiden voyage of America's top diplomat, whose predecessors have generally favoured Europe or Asia for their initial outings.

It reflects not only the personal interest that Rubio – the first Hispanic to hold the nation's most senior Cabinet post – has in the region but also the Trump administration's intent to focus much of its foreign policy energy close to home.

Limiting immigration and fighting narcotics smuggling are major elements of that effort, but another key priority will be curbing China's growing influence in the Western Hemisphere, topped by reasserting US control over the Panama Canal.