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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, today concluded an official trip to Honduras where he met with officials to discuss the country’s military, political and civil issues. Rubio also conducted oversight of U.S. military and other assistance programs during the visit.

“A robust U.S.-Honduras partnership is now more important than ever,” said Rubio. “In the past few years, we have worked together to confront security challenges affecting both America and Latin America. As a result, the country of Honduras has seen many positive changes, including a decline in violence. It is in our interest as a nation to continue to encourage a safe, prosperous Honduras with a thriving economy based on manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture.

“I am particularly proud of the shared relationship and persistent trade between Florida and Honduras,” Rubio continued. “I wish to continue strengthening this partnership as Florida ports and businesses work to collaborate on increased trading opportunities. Furthermore, the men and women of the U.S. military I encountered in Honduras are truly remarkable and essential to charting a prosperous future for this country.  I look forward to continue improving U.S.-Honduras relations to maintain peace and stability in the hemisphere.”

Below are photos taken from Rubio’s visit to Honduras:

Rubio meets with Attorney General Oscar Fernando Chinchilla:

Rubio meets at the Embassy Garden with ForPaz- Save the Children, an integrated program to reduce citizen insecurity in violent communities:

Rubio visits Colonia Estados Unidos in Tegucigalpa, Honduras:

Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to Honduras James Nealon arrive at USAID children’s outreach and community policing center in Tegucigalpa:

Rubio talks to officers at a Joint Honduran-Department of Homeland Security (DHS) checkpoint:

Rubio meeting U.S. troops at Joint Task Force – Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras:

Rubio tours Cobra Base where U.S. Special Forces from 7th Group at Eglin AFB and forces from Special Operations Command South at Homestead AFB are training Honduran National Police, or “Tigres”:

Rubio meets with Florida National Guard:

Rubio is greeted by Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez:

Rubio meets with Director Carlos Aldana of the Honduran Directorate of Intelligence (DNII):

Rubio gathers with business owners at the Chamber of Commerce. Ambassador Nealon and AmCham President Mey Hung:

Rubio meets with Florida constituents at the Embassy garden:

Note: All photos can be credited to the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.