Representatives from the United States Embassy in Ecuador have delivered $3.1 million worth of equipment and infrastructure support to the Ecuadorian Armed Forces. This delivery, facilitated through the U.S. Southern Command, aims to bolster maritime interdiction operations along Ecuador's northern border and Amazonian waterways.
The contributions include $1.1 million in military equipment, $1.3 million allocated for constructing a River Maintenance Center for the 19th “Napo” Jungle Brigade, and $747,000 for communications equipment designated for the San Lorenzo Marine Infantry Brigade.
During a handover ceremony in El Coca, located in Orellana province, Colonel Jaime Gómez, Defense Attaché, and Robert Kemp, Embassy Political Advisor, represented the U.S. Embassy. The Ecuadorian Armed Forces were represented by General Gustavo Acosta, Commander of the Army; General Alexander Levoyer, Commander of the IV Division of the Army; Rear Admiral Edgar Andrade, Commander of the Marine Corps; and Colonel Jorge Galarza Galarza, Commander of the 19th Brigade.
“This delivery is another example of the close security collaboration between Ecuador and the United States. The support between both countries is vital to combat situations that affect the security of the Ecuadorian people. The United States continues to invest in Ecuador’s priority areas,” stated Colonel Gómez.
These deliveries are part of ongoing efforts by the United States Southern Command to support Ecuador's capabilities in combating illegal operations along its borders and waterways. The cooperation extends beyond military aid into areas such as drug trafficking prevention, organized crime disruption, human trafficking countermeasures, illegal mining challenges, and other security threats facing Ecuadorians.