The head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubiosaid Thursday that the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduroit’s a “justice fugitive from the United States. “The announcement was accompanied by a series of cooperation measures regarding security con Ecuadorwhich include millions of dollars in Military assistancethe possibility of Return of American bases to the country and the designation of criminal bands as terrorist organizations.
Rubio, aligned with the president’s speech Donald Trump in foreign policy Towards Latin America, he was received in Quito with honors by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. While a pianist interpreted “America the beautiful” (“America the Beautiful“) in it Carondelet PalaceCuban-American senator made it clear that The “war” against drug trafficking has new fronts and new allies.
“Not only are we going to chase drug traffickers with small fast boats … The president has said he wants to declare war on these groups“said Rubio, referring to the recent operation of the US Navy in the Caribbean that ended with the Sinking of a Venezuelan boat in international waters.
A war without barracks
During his passage through the Ecuadorian capital, Rubio not only raised the tone against Caracas by qualifying Maduro as “Narco leader”, But also defended the recent military operation that he left eleven dead after the sinking of a boat supposedly linked to Aragua train. “They declared us the war 30 years ago and nobody did anything. That changed now“, said.
The operation raised the Diplomatic tension with Caracaswhich denounced an attempt to destabilize the Maduro government. Meanwhile, The UN has not pronounced on the international legality of the operation.
The official dismissed criticism about the alleged implication of Venezuela in drug traffickingstating that “No matter what the UN says”, Since for American justice, The country is a “drug trafficker”. However, he clarified that In “friendly countries” as Ecuador, military attacks would not be necessary Like Tuesday. “They cooperate”He said.
Rubio came from visiting Mexico, the first scale of a regional tour, where warned that the United States will not hesitate to repeat similar operations. “Trump He already did and will happen again. These sea routes will no longer be unpunished, ”he insisted.
Protect a “lifestyle”
Noboa, firm ally of the American president, maintains displayed to their armed forces in a crusade against criminal gangs that made the country one of the most violent in the region. The 37 -year -old president and heir to a banana emporium, He was born in Miami, like Rubio. This personal and ideological affinity strengthened a Bilateral relationship increasingly narrow.
“We value your effort and interest in our country,” Noboa told him in English during his meetingin which he also expressed support to the decisions of the United States. Regarding the Aragua Train, the Los Soles and Migration Cartel. Ecuador even offered to Receive up to 300 migrants per year deported from US territory.
The recent extradition of the Choneros leader, aka “Fito”, marked a milestone in the Judicial Cooperation With the United States. On Wednesday, Rubio announced the inclusion of Ecuadorian posters The choneros y The wolves In the American list of terrorist organizationswhat enables economic sanctionsconfiscation of goods and joint operations. “They are narcoterrorist. Now we can share sensitive intelligence that was not possible before, ”said the chancellor.
Strongly escorted in the presidential palace, Rubio announced that the United States will provide Almost 20 million dollars In help for the fight against cartels. In his statements, Rubio described the bands of “wild animals “ And he assured that the United States will help Ecuador bend them.
For Rubio, this alliance contributes to “Protect the United States and our lifestyle”The central point of the visit was the signature of Security Agreements and investments, which include 13.5 million dollars in military assistance and another six million for the purchase of drones To patrol the coast.
But a central announcement was Washington’s insistence on the possibility of reinstall a military base American in Ecuador. This proposal, which will be subject to a Referendum of the Ecuadorian people In December, seek Cancel the constitutional prohibition in force since 2009, when the former president Rafael Correa expelled the US forces of Manta port. “If Ecuador, as a country sovereigna formal invitation extends to us, we will consider it very seriously. It comes from an ally, from a friend. It is a strategic place”Said Rubio.
With a rate of 39 Homicides per 100,000 inhabitantsEcuador is today the country more violent from South Americaaccording to the observatory Insight Crime. In this context, the strategy of “thousand hard ”by Noboa, inspired by the Salvadoran model of Nayib Bukeleincludes a Permanent exception regimethe Militarization of prisons And the declaration of “Internal armed conflict“Against criminal gangs.
