The arrival takes place while a US delegation, including the head of the Southern Command Laura Richardson, continues their official visit paid to Ecuador.

Amid an internal armed war decreed by Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, the U.S. handed over 20,000 bulletproof vests for the National Police, as well as USD$1M-key security and emergency response equipment.

The US Embassy in Quito informed that FBI staff are present in Ecuador to support the Attorney General’s Office and police forces. The head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Ecuador, Admiral Jaime Vela, confirmed the arrival of an Antonov AN-124 aircraft, with Ukrainian registration, at the Guayaquil airport with goods coming from the United States, although he did not specify its contents for security reasons.

On Monday, the high-level US delegation met at the Carondelet Palace with President Noboa.

After the meeting, Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld described the gathering as a “strong and concrete political signal” of support for domestic situation.

Several analysts warned that the security crisis in Ecuador and the declaration of internal armed conflict could be an opportunity for the United States to surge its military presence.

Social organizations further reject this aid, which they deem as interference and loss of sovereignty.

omr/mem/avr