Marco Rubio and Ecuador's Foreign Minister Discuss Security, Counter-Terrorism, and Economic Ties

Bilateral Security Cooperation

• 🤝 The U.S. is designating Los Choneros and Los Lobos as terrorist groups, enabling enhanced U.S. government options to combat them.
• 💰 A total of $13.7 million is allocated to fight drugs and crime, with an additional $6 million for drones (UAVs) for the Ecuadorian Navy.
• 🇺🇸 Discussions included the long-term possibility of stationing U.S. troops in Ecuador for joint training and operations against common threats.

Economic and Diplomatic Relations

• 📈 The U.S. aims to expand its economic relationship with Ecuador, noting a long-standing cultural and personal connection.
• 🤝 Progress has been made in bilateral trade negotiations, with hopes for a positive announcement soon to strengthen economic ties.
• 🌍 The U.S. Treasury will be consulted regarding potential support for Ecuador's discussions with the IMF.

Confronting Narco-Terrorism

• ⚠️ Naroterrorist groups, originating from outside Ecuador, are identified as a major threat, engaging in activities like drug trafficking and illegal mining.
• 💥 These groups commit terrorist acts against the government and population, often concentrated in border areas due to human mobility and cash inflows from foreign criminal groups.
• 🇺🇸 The U.S. is 100% committed to working with Ecuador, recognizing the threat of these drugs to both nations.

Designation of Terrorist Groups

• 🎯 The designation of Los Choneros and Los Lobos as Foreign Terrorist Organizations allows the U.S. to target their assets, properties, and finances within the U.S. banking system.
• 🧠 This designation also enables unlimited intelligence sharing that can be used for operations, including those that could lead to lethal actions against these groups.
• ⚖️ The U.S. is considering designating additional groups, following a legal process, with potential for further designations in the coming weeks.

Migration and Future Cooperation

• 🛂 Discussions touched upon migration policy, with Ecuador agreeing to support U.S. efforts, including potential agreements for processing migrants, while protecting its national interests.
• 🤝 The cooperation framework is comprehensive, encompassing security, economic development, and migration, reflecting shared values and goals between the U.S. and Ecuador.
• 🌍 The possibility of establishing a U.S. military base in Ecuador was discussed, contingent on an invitation from the sovereign Ecuadorian government, to aid in combating illegal mining, narco-terrorism, and illegal fishing.