{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/08/13/buchanan-joins-salazar-on-letter-urging-secretary-rubio-to-designate-ecuador-as-a-major-non-nato-ally/", "Buchanan Joins Salazar\u00a0On\u00a0Letter Urging Secretary Rubio to\u00a0Designate Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "Calls to Recognize Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally to Strengthen Their Strategic Partnership with the United States\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) joined a letter led by Congresswoman Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27), alongside Congressman Carlos Gim\u00e9nez (FL-28), Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01) and Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of State to designate Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).\n\n\u201cThe United States must continue to strengthen partnerships with trusted allies in our own hemisphere,\u201d said Rep. Buchanan. \u201cAs Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, I have seen firsthand Ecuador\u2019s commitment to combating organized crime, countering narcotics trafficking and advancing democratic institutions. Recognizing Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally would strengthen our strategic partnership, and I am proud to support this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe battle against the cartels does not stop at Ecuador\u2019s borders,\u201d said Rep. Salazar. \u201cThe 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.\u201d\n\nThe letter describes Ecuador as one of the front lines in the fight against transnational drug trafficking, with criminal organizations exploiting the country\u2019s Pacific coast as a major corridor for cocaine shipments bound for the United States and Europe. It also highlights the record levels of violence driven by these groups and the enormous security challenges confronting the country.\n\nThe lawmakers explain that Major Non-NATO Ally status would expand Ecuador\u2019s access to key security benefits, including military financing opportunities, increased training, excess U.S. defense equipment and advanced counterterrorism technology. These tools would strengthen Ecuador\u2019s ability to confront organized crime, protect innocent lives and stop illegal drugs before they reach the United States. Ensuring the greater protection of our citizens.\n\nMajor Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status provides enhanced opportunities for defense and security cooperation with the United States, including:\n\nEligibility for certain U.S. military financing and defense loans\n\nExpanded military training and education opportunities with the United States\n\nPriority access to Excess Defense Articles, including certain U.S. defense equipment\n\nEligibility to participate in cooperative defense research and development projects\n\nIncreased access to counterterrorism cooperation and technology\n\nOpportunities for U.S. defense industry partnerships and defense procurement cooperation\n\nThe letter concludes by urging Secretary Rubio to grant the designation and reaffirm the United States commitment to supporting Ecuador as it continues its fight against transnational organized crime.\n\nCurrently, 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.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-14T06:13:05Z", "2026-08-14T06:14:08Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/08/13/buchanan-joins-salazar-on-letter-urging-secretary-rubio-to-designate-ecuador-as-a-major-non-nato-ally/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.3749731481075287, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}