Rubio, as the first Latino and Spanish-speaking secretary of state, is expected to devote considerable attention to what has long been referred to, disparagingly, as Washington’s backyard.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as his nominee for secretary of state means that Latin America could play a prominent role in U.S. foreign policy over the next four years. Rubio, who is Cuban American, is known for hawkish positions on countries including China, Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela.