Carol Miller

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), joined by Congressman Carlos Giménez (FL-28), Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01), Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16), and Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Department of State to designate Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA). The lawmakers write that the designation would strengthen Ecuador’s efforts against transnational drug cartels while advancing U.S. national security interests.

”The battle against the cartels does not stop at Ecuador’s borders,” said Rep. Salazar. “The United States has a strategic interest in helping democratic allies confront the criminal organizations that threaten our hemisphere. Designating Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally would strengthen one of our closest security partners in the Western Hemisphere.”

“The fight against cartels requires strong partnerships,” said Congressman Carlos Gimenez. “Recognizing Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally will strengthen one of America’s most important democratic partners in the region and enhance our ability to confront the transnational criminal organizations that threaten the security, stability, and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere.”

Read the full letter here.

Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status provides enhanced opportunities for defense and security cooperation with the United States, including:

Eligibility for certain U.S. military financing and defense loans.

Expanded military training and education opportunities with the United States.

Priority access to Excess Defense Articles, including certain U.S. defense equipment.

Eligibility to participate in cooperative defense research and development projects.

Increased access to counterterrorism cooperation and technology.

Opportunities for U.S. defense industry partnerships and defense procurement cooperation.

Currently, 19 countries are designated as Major Non-NATO Allies:

Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia.

This letter builds on Rep. Salazar’s longstanding advocacy for a stronger U.S.-Ecuador security partnership. In 2025, she led a bipartisan effort urging the Administration to provide additional security assistance to help Ecuador defeat the cartels.

As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Rep. Salazar oversees congressional efforts to strengthen U.S. engagement across the region, counter transnational criminal organizations, and confront the authoritarian regimes and security threats that undermine democratic stability.