Ecuador in 2019 allocated more than 110 million dollars to military equipment



Ecuador invested more than 110 million dollars in military equipment in 2019, President Lenín Moreno revealed on Thursday in a ceremony for the 191 anniversary of the historic Battle of Tarqui and Army Day.

The head of state stressed that last year that amount was allocated to equipment of the Armed Forces, added to about 100 million to cancel a debt "of the past Government", and said that his Administration will pay punctually the pensions of the military in the framework of a scheduled schedule.

The military civic event commemorating the founding of the country's defense institution was held at the Eloy Alfaro Military School in Quito, where different battalions and military units paraded and tribute was paid to the institution's standards.

Moreno presided over the solemn act in which the military leadership and authorities of the country were present, and thanked the 35,000 members of the ground forces, including several uniformed men who were decorated for their work.

The president mentioned the performance of the soldiers during the social protests registered in the country last October, following the elimination of fuel subsidies - a measure that had to be repealed - and in which several troops were held by protesters .

In this context, he expressed his gratitude for the "role played by the Army and the Armed Forces during the events of October 2019" and assured that "they not only took care of citizen security", but were crucial in providing several points that they were isolated by the road cut.

"They defended democracy in this way," the Ecuadorian president added.

The day not only commemorates the day of the Ecuadorian Army, but also that of civics and national unity, represented on the anniversary of the Battle of Tarqui in 1829.

The president stressed that this victory and the role of Antonio José de Sucre in command of the troops of Gran Colombia marked the birth of the Ecuadorian Army, which he currently considered "highly professional, especially loyal to whom he should be more loyal, with his people. "

Among the new threats facing the Andean country, he mentioned drug trafficking, organized crime, human trafficking or corruption.

And he highlighted the security strategy promoted by Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrín, which involves Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, which "has received the backing of the United States, a country with recognized experience in the field."

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