Sunshine Sentinel

WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Rick Scott, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, returned from Ecuador where he met with President Guillermo Lasso, President-elect Daniel Noboa and other high-ranking officials. Following his trip, Senator Scott shared the following photos and statement to highlight the meetings and briefings he received, which focused on trade collaboration between the US and Ecuador, and strengthening national security and relations economic relations with Ecuadorian leaders. 

Senator Rick Scott said: “Ecuador is an important friend and partner of the United States and it was my honor to visit and see firsthand the trade and collaboration between our two nations. I would like to thank President Lasso, President-elect Noboa and the people of Ecuador for their commitment to democracy in Ecuador and throughout the region. I am very concerned about the future of democracy in Latin America with brutal regimes in Venezuela and Cuba continuing to spread socialism and instability in the region, but Ecuador remains an important partner of the United States in Latin America. One of the greatest threats to democracy in Latin America and throughout the Western Hemisphere is the growing influence of oppressive regimes such as communist China. Now more than ever, the United States must stand firm with our allies like Ecuador against attacks on democracy in the region and threats to U.S. national security.  

“I am also pleased that we have increased our trade relationship with imports and exports to and from our respective countries, and I will work for this trend to continue as it benefits both of us. I was proud to fight to have fresh-cut roses from Ecuador added to the US GSP program in 2020 and am fighting for this program to be reauthorized and urging my colleagues in Congress to quickly pass a reauthorization in this Congress to end the period. The United States will continue to foster our economic relationship, fight to defend freedom, condemn efforts to undermine democracy, and urge the international community to join the United States in supporting the people of Ecuador.”

Original source can be found here.