The US Senate has unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, placing the Cuban-American senator at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
Rubio, the first Hispanic and Spanish-speaking Secretary of State, is the first of Trump’s cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Republican-led Senate. The confirmation came just hours after Trump’s inauguration.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani congratulated Rubio, saying, “Kosovo looks forward to working with you to strengthen our alliance and tackle today’s challenges together.”
Rubio has long focused on the Balkans and has urged attention on the region, particularly in light of growing tensions. In 2022, he joined a group of senators pressing President Biden to maintain focus on the area.
The Senate confirmed Rubio with 99 votes in favor and none against. Even rival Democratic senators praised him as a friend.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasized the importance of swift action, saying, “It’s in America’s interest not to waste time given global insecurity.” Rubio’s confirmation comes amid rising threats from China, Russia, and other adversaries.
Rubio, known for his hard stance against authoritarian regimes, especially in Latin America and China, will now carry out Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy.
