The U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, Art Brown, recently made his first visit to the Galápagos Islands. During this trip, he engaged with community members and local authorities to discuss security objectives and enhance cooperation between the United States and Ecuador. The focus was on supporting maritime control efforts against drug trafficking, aiming to improve both national and regional security.
Ambassador Brown met with several key figures, including Jimmy Bolaños, President of the Galápagos Special Regime Governing Council; Rolando Caiza, Mayor of San Cristóbal; Fanny Uribe, Mayor of Santa Cruz; Juan Liger, Commander of the Galápagos Navy; and Colonel Alexandra Salcedo, Commander of the Galápagos National Police. Discussions centered on local priorities and regional security challenges such as illicit trafficking and illegal fishing. The meetings explored ways to refine U.S.-Ecuador cooperation in addressing these issues.
“The United States’ true interest in the Galápagos is to collaborate with the Ecuadorian people and continue strengthening our training programs, information-sharing efforts, and joint operations with Ecuadorian security forces," stated Ambassador Brown. "These initiatives will allow for greater joint actions against organized crime and malign actors at sea. Our countries share a commitment to fostering a secure hemisphere.”
In addition to meeting officials, Ambassador Brown interacted with a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer residing in the Galápagos. He also visited various organizations including the Galápagos Judiciary Council, the Galápagos Life Fund organization, Galápagos National Park, Charles Darwin Foundation, and Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) where he met with U.S. exchange students.