Security and China's role are on the secretary's September 8–10 agenda as he meets Presidents Abelardo de la Espriella, Daniel Noboa, and Keiko Fujimori.

Aug 20–26: Plus, Trump and Lula hop on the phone again; State warns the region on Chinese espionage.

The region’s top oil producers are boosting output and exports even as conflict disrupts energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.