Powell's Lesson Unlearned: How the US Lost Its Way in Latin America The visit of Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Lima, Peru, marked a stark contrast to the events that transpired 25 years ago on September 11, 2001.
Colin Powell chose to stay and reaffirm his commitment to democracy promotion at a critical moment, while Rubio's trip was emblematic of a shift in US foreign policy towards a more transactional approach.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Powell's decision sent a powerful signal about the importance of democratic values and institutions in maintaining regional security.