United States engages in negotiations with Ecuador to facilitate the transfer of asylum seekers to their territory
In a significant move towards strengthening bilateral relations, the United States and Ecuador are working together to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in Ecuador. This collaboration was discussed during Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Ecuador on Thursday.
The US State Department has designated two Ecuadorian criminal groups, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation brings with it a range of options for the US to work in conjunction with the government of Ecuador. It allows for the imposition of sanctions and the sharing of intelligence that can be actioned for potentially lethal operations.
Rubio praised President Daniel Noboa, the current head of government of Ecuador, for his efforts in taking on drug traffickers in his country. He stated that Noboa is doing more to tackle this issue than any administration in the past.
The US is also providing another $6 million in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Ecuador's Navy to aid in their efforts against drug trafficking. Additionally, the US announced a security assistance package of $13.5 million to help Ecuador improve its ability to provide security for its citizens and combat drugs and crime.
The US and Ecuador are in the final stages of establishing an agreement that would allow the US to send asylum seekers to Ecuador. However, the new security assistance is not connected to a specific number of individuals who could be deported to the country. The agreement is said to be very case-by-case and there are no plans to send a specific quota of asylum seekers to Ecuador.
Ecuador is "just getting ramped up" on efforts to tackle violent crime and drug trafficking, according to Rubio. The US is also working with Ecuador and other countries in Latin America to drive down drug trafficking in the region.
The US is also working to update its extradition treaty with Ecuador, which would allow the country to send more drug traffickers to the US for trial. This move is aimed at addressing the corruption and intimidation of judges, prosecutors, and police by gangs in the region.
It is important to note that the agreement between the US and Ecuador is part of the overall relationship between the two countries, and not a quid-pro-quo. There are currently no plans for the Trump administration to strike an agreement with Ecuador similar to the one with El Salvador that would involve a transfer of alleged gang members.
In conclusion, the collaboration between the US and Ecuador is a significant step towards addressing the persistent issues of gangs, drugs, and public safety threats in Ecuador. Both countries are committed to working together to combat these issues and provide a safer environment for the citizens of Ecuador.
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