As the first Latino secretary of state, Sen. Marco Rubio is expected to devote considerable attention to what has long been disparagingly referred to as Washington’s backyard.

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.

Trump, in a statement Wednesday, called Rubio a highly respected leader and a very powerful voice for freedom who “will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.