WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Rick Scott, 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 the commerce and trade collaboration between the U.S. and Ecuador, and strengthening national security and economic relationships with Ecuadorian leaders.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Ecuador is an important friend and partner to the United States and I was honored to visit and see first-hand the trade and collaboration between our two nations. I’d like to thank President Lasso, President-elect Noboa and the people of Ecuador for their commitment to democracy at home and across the region. I am very concerned about the future of the democracy in Latin America with brutal regimes in Venezuela and Cuba continuing to spread socialism and instability in the region, but Ecuador continues to be an important partner to the U.S. in Latin America. One of the biggest threats to democracy in Latin America and across the Western Hemisphere is the growing influence of oppressive regimes like Communist China. Now more than ever the United States must stand firm with friends like Ecuador against the attacks on democracy in the region, and threats to the national security of the United States.

“I am also pleased that we have increased our trade relationship, with imports and exports to and from our respective countries on the rise, and I will work to see this trend continue as it benefits us both. I was proud to fight for Ecuador’s fresh-cut roses to be added to the U.S. GSP Program in 2020, and I am fighting for this program to be reauthorized and urging my colleagues in Congress to expeditiously pass a reauthorization this Congress to end the lapse. 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.”