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.

Authoritarian governments in Latin America may face increasing pressure as President-elect Donald Trump has selected Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.

While the announcement has not been made, it is expected President Donald Trump will name Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state. If selected, Rubio could be the first Hispanic to hold the high-ranking post, which dates to the country's founding.

Good for Rubio. Marco Rubio is Trump’s reported secretary of state. How did we get here? \| November 12. With U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s nomination to be President Donald Trump’

Rubio had been gunning for the job in TV appearances and in Trump's orbit, reports said, touting his foreign policy experience. The Florida senator serves as vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and sits on the Foreign Relations Committee.