On his recent visit to Ecuador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio lauded the nation’s partnership with the United States. Ecuador is “a key leader in the Shield of the Americas and in . . . the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition. In fact, they are the most involved and aggressive partner we have.”
Currently, U.S. and Ecuadoran elite forces are operating jointly, going after criminal groups, dismantling narcotics networks, and bringing people to justice, noted Secretary Rubio. He stressed that these narcotics networks are terrorist organizations and must be confronted and dismantled. And that’s what the U.S. and Ecuador are doing together in an unprecedented manner.
During his visit, Secretary Rubio announced a $10 million initiative to go after illegal gold mining, gang recruitment, illicit finance, land and maritime drug trafficking.
As part of this effort, the United States is providing a 110-foot U.S. Coast Guard cutter to Ecuador to strengthen their navy and its ability to stop maritime narcotics trafficking, weapons shipments, illegal fishing, and a range of other threats. In addition, the U.S. will transfer five more interceptor vessels, bringing the total to 12 this year.
Already the Ecuadorian navy has seized 2.5 metric tons of cocaine using the U.S. provided vessels. “They’re doing their part, and we’re going to continue to do ours,” declared Secretary Rubio.
Moreover, the U.S. has sanctioned a network of 15 entities and individuals and identified 10 commercial fishing vessels as blocked property. These items were being used to facilitate narcotrafficking among other things. Secretary Rubio announced the designation of another group, Los Tiburones, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
These organizations are violent, bloodthirsty terrorist organizations, and we have to make sure that we continue to pursue them, said Secretary Rubio. “We also have to go after corrupt officials that collaborate and conspire with these terrorists,” he added. The U.S. has designated seven former members of the Ecuadoran government for accepting bribes from terrorist organizations.
The most important obligation any government has is the safety and security of their people, affirmed Secretary Rubio. “Upon that foundation ... you build the foundation of prosperity and economic opportunity.”
Indeed, Ecuador’s economy is growing at a very impressive level, noted Secretary Rubio, “but it could ... accelerate even further for the benefit of the people.”
The United States will continue to seek out opportunities to work with Ecuador to develop its security and ultimately its economic prosperity.