The U.S. Government has donated five protective bomb suits to the National Police of Ecuador, with a total value of $245,000. These suits are designed to offer protection against explosions, shockwaves, shrapnel, impact, heat, and fire. They are classified as level eight and level nine and will enhance the safety of police officers involved in the removal and disarmament of explosive devices.
The donation ceremony took place in Guayaquil on April 5, 2023. It was attended by several authorities including Juan Zapata, Minister of the Interior; Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Pastor, Commander of the Intervention and Rescue Group; and Fausto Salinas, General Commander of the National Police.
Tim Stater, Acting Consul General of the United States in Guayaquil, stated: “This donation supports our common goal of living in free, safe, and democratic societies. Ecuador can count on the United States’ support to combat insecurity, drug trafficking, and organized crime.”
Previously in August 2022, two bomb suits valued at $110,000 were delivered by the United States. One suit was sent to Zone 8 Command following an attack in the Cristo del Consuelo sector in Guayaquil.
Besides providing bomb suits, the U.S. Government has also trained 48 police officers and prosecutors to help them identify explosives and collect evidence for investigations.