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.

President-elect Donald Trump's pick of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state could signal stricter enforcement of oil sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, but concerns about retaliation by China could temper any efforts,

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.