Interior Minister John Reimberg stated that the presence of the US official is intended to strengthen internal security and officially launch the operations of the regional coalition, which President Daniel Noboa joined on March 7.

Reimberg told Teleamazonas channel, “Ecuador is the first country to work with the United States under this new cooperation framework, so we have much to discuss.”

Although Noem’s agenda in Quito has not been confirmed, local media indicate that the official will hold meetings at the Carondelet Palace, the seat of the government, and participate in official ceremonies, including receiving a decoration from the Government.

Her presence in this nation coincides with the announcement made by the US Southern Command over the deployment of the Fourth Fleet to regional waters, with the USS Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and the USS Gridley-class destroyer, which will conduct joint exercises with allied naval forces.

The bilateral rapprochement comes amid a security crisis in Ecuador, whose Government has strengthened cooperation with Washington.

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