The United States highlights the arrival of Guillermo Lasso as President of Ecuador: “We share the commitment to cooperation in democracy and security”

US Ambassador to the UN and President Joe Biden’s Representative at the inauguration of Guillermo Lasso Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Illustrates the importance his country sees in relations with Ecuador, when the former banker came to power for the success of Lenin Moreno.

“I am delighted to represent the United States here to celebrate the last election of the United States and the inauguration of President Lazo,” the US ambassador said in a statement to the media at the airport when he arrived in Quito this Sunday.

Thomas-Greenfield arrived early in the morning as the head of the Presidential delegation to attend the inauguration of Lasso in the National Assembly tomorrow, Monday.

“This is an important moment. I am not saying that because this is the first time I have traveled outside the United States for more than 14 months,” the outgoing Ecuadorian foreign minister said with a welcoming diplomatic joke. Manuel Magia.

Five heads of state and at least seven foreign ministers are due to arrive in Ecuador this Sunday for the inauguration of a new president, including the King of Spain and the presidents of Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

While he is staying on Ecuadorian soil, he will meet in person with the sixth Felipe Lasso and the outgoing Lennon Moreno.

The US Presidential Delegation concluded with its Ambassador to Ecuador, Michael J. Fitzpatrick; Julie Chung, Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Foreign Office; Y Juan Gonzalez, Special Adviser to the National Security Council.

“Independent elections are the cornerstone of a democratic society like Ecuador. They provide a positive example of democracy in the region and the values ​​shared by the Ecuadorian people and the United States,” the delegation said.

Asked to see his arrival and the other members who come with him as “a powerful message about how much we value our relationship with Ecuador,” he said one country he shares is “more than values”. “

“We share cultural exchange, commitment to democracy and cooperation in security.Added.

“This is why President Biden sent his first presidential delegation here to Ecuador,” he stressed.

From this noon local time, the first foreign leaders to participate in tomorrow’s investment have arrived. Among them, the leader of Haiti, Joanel Moyes; Vice President of Paraguay, Hugo Velasquez; And the President of Chile, Andres Almond.

Among the other leaders who confirmed their participation in the inauguration ceremonies were the presidents of Brazil, Jair Bolzano; Chile, Sebastian Pinera; Colombia, Evan Duke; Uruguay, Louis Lawley bou; And the Dominican Republic, Louis Abinader.

The transfer of power in Ecuador comes amid an economic, social and health crisis caused by the Govt-19 epidemic, which has so far left more than 20,000 deaths between “confirmed” and “potential” diseases, and more than 417,000 affected.

Lasso, a 65-year-old center-right politician, is coming to the presidency in his third attempt with severe cash flow and a vaccination program he needs to solve. Economic reactivation.

The president-elect, who was due to vaccinate nine million people against Covit-19 in 100 days, acknowledged that he was facing “very complex realities, unlimited needs, very limited resources.” He also warned that “very constructive tax reforms” would be sought.

From December 2019 to last March, Unemployment in Ecuador went up from 4.6% to 5.5%. Further income poverty has risen from 25% in December 2019 to 32% in 2020.

Lasso received 52.36% of the vote, 4.72 points higher than the economist Andres Aras, 36-year-old and former President Rafael Koriya’s Dolphin The April 11 ballot ended the string of victories for socialism.

With information from EFE and AFP

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