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Ecuador grants US military personnel visa-free entry and immunity
The Ecuadorian government has implemented a new ministerial agreement to regulate the entry and stay of United States Department of Defense personnel, including military members, civilian employees, and contractors. Based on the existing Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), the regulation allows these individuals to enter Ecuador without a visa through a special registry known as 'Acts of Commerce and Activities'.
Under this new framework, eligible personnel may stay in the country for up to 180 non-renewable days per calendar year with multiple entries permitted. The agreement also grants these individuals judicial immunity and protection from administrative migration sanctions. Additionally, the regulation provides exemptions from migration fees for both personnel and U.S. aircraft.
The announcement coincides with high-level security meetings in Quito, including a visit by U.S. Southern Command chief Francis Donovan. These discussions focused on bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. Donovan noted that Ecuador has been recognized as a leader within the Americas Coalition Against Cartels (A3C).
Entities
Daniel Noboa · Ecuador · Ecuadorian Ministry of the Interior · Francis Donovan · US Southern Command · United States · United States Department of Defense · United States Southern Command
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] US military and defense personnel can enter Ecuador without a visa using a special registry called 'Acts of Commerce and Activities'. www.telesurtv.net · estrategia.la · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · questiondigital.com · entrelineas.com.mx · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] US Southern Command chief Francis Donovan stated that Ecuador is considered a leader in the Americas Coalition Against Cartels. eluniverso.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The new regulations are based on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Ecuador and the United States. estrategia.la · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · questiondigital.com · entrelineas.com.mx · www.nodal.am · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Eligible US personnel can stay in Ecuador for up to 180 non-renewable days per calendar year. www.telesurtv.net · estrategia.la · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · questiondigital.com · entrelineas.com.mx · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The agreement includes exemptions from migration fees for US personnel and aircraft. estrategia.la · questiondigital.com · entrelineas.com.mx
- [● 8 SOURCES] US military personnel, civilian employees, and contractors will receive judicial immunity while in Ecuador. www.telesurtv.net · estrategia.la · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · questiondigital.com · entrelineas.com.mx · +3 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The security cooperation aims to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. estrategia.la · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · www.telesurenglish.net · eluniverso.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Ecuadorian government issued a ministerial agreement to regulate the entry of US Department of Defense personnel. www.telesurtv.net · estrategia.la · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · questiondigital.com · entrelineas.com.mx · +3 more