Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, February 12th, 2020, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed President Lenín Moreno Garcés and First Lady Rocío González de Moreno of Ecuador to the White House.
The meeting signaled a historic turn in relations between the two countries. President Trump celebrated President Moreno’s efforts to peacefully transition Ecuador away from “21st century socialism” and toward a democratic society with a free-market economy.
America is rebuilding relationships around the globe–including with Ecuador!
A strong, free Ecuador is a powerful partner for the United States in South America. “We are working on trade deals, we’re working on military options, including the purchase of a lot of our military equipment,” President Trump said. “And we’re negotiating some very important pacts between Ecuador and the United States.”
One issue near the top of President Trump’s agenda: Venezuela. He and President Moreno discussed support for Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó and agreed on the importance of growing international pressure on the illegitimate Nicolas Maduro regime. The goal is to end the crisis, restore democracy, and protect human rights.
“It’s always close to our heart,” President Trump said on the Venezuelan situation.
Watch President Trump meet with Ecuador’s President in the Oval Office
Read: Joint statement by President Trump and President Moreno
