The plane carrying the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, headed to Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference this Friday, had to return to Washington last night after experiencing a "mechanical problem" during the flight.
On the aircraft of the United States Air Force was also the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch.
The spokesperson for the State Department, Tammy Bruce, stated in a statement that the issue was a "cracked windshield," and that Rubio intended to continue his trip to Germany and the Middle East on another aircraft.
It was about 90 minutes after takeoff that the problem was noticed and the pilots decided to return, as reported by news agencies and U.S. media.
The plane landed shortly after 10:00 p.m. (local time) at Joint Base Andrews, on the outskirts of Washington.
Impact on the Secretary of State's agenda
This unforeseen event creates uncertainty regarding Rubio's punctuality at the Munich Security Conference, where his participation in several high-level meetings is scheduled.
Among them, her attendance at a key meeting between the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the U.S. Vice President, JD Vance.
Additionally, the Secretary of State is scheduled to speak at the first G7 ministerial meeting (United States, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, and the European Union) since taking office.
Once his stay in Germany is concluded, Rubio has scheduled a tour of the Middle East from February 15 to 18.
His itinerary includes stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with the opportunity to hold meetings with key political figures, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A journey framed by geopolitical tensions
Rubio's trip to the Middle East occurs in a context of rising tension following the controversial proposal by President Donald Trump regarding the Gaza Strip.
In a recent meeting with Netanyahu at the White House, Trump suggested the expulsion of Palestinians from the enclave to neighboring countries and raised the possibility that the United States could take control of the territory to turn it into what he referred to as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The initiative has been firmly rejected by the Palestinians and various Arab nations, which have described it as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
The United Nations warned that, if carried out, it could constitute a crime against humanity and even be classified as genocide.
In response, Egypt and Jordan have intensified their diplomatic efforts to persuade the U.S. administration to abandon this plan and have emphasized the need to expedite the reconstruction of Gaza.
Coinciding with Rubio's visit to the region, Hamas is expected to release three Israeli hostages this Saturday, as part of the ceasefire agreement reached with Israel. This process is crucial within the framework of the ongoing negotiations and could influence the course of future diplomatic discussions in the region.
Frequently asked questions about Marco Rubio's trip and the current geopolitical situation
Why did Marco Rubio's plane have to return to Washington?
The plane carrying Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, had to return to Washington due to a mechanical issue. The issue was a crack in the windshield, which forced the aircraft to turn back and land safely at Andrews Air Force Base.
Will this incident affect Rubio's participation in the Munich Security Conference?
The delay caused by the plane's return could impact Rubio's punctuality at the Munich Security Conference. Uncertainty about his timely participation in high-level meetings is anticipated, including a key meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
What is Marco Rubio's itinerary following the Munich Security Conference?
After the conference in Germany, Marco Rubio plans to visit the Middle East from February 15 to 18. His itinerary includes stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, where he is expected to meet with key political leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
What geopolitical context surrounds Marco Rubio's trip to the Middle East?
The trip of Rubio to the Middle East takes place within a tense context due to President Donald Trump's proposal regarding the Gaza Strip. This proposal includes the expulsion of Palestinians and U.S. control of Gaza, which has been rejected by the international community. Furthermore, it coincides with a ceasefire agreement in which Hamas will release three Israeli hostages, an important step for the ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
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