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United States donates 12,500 dry rations and 1,000 shields to Bolivia’s armed forces
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

United States donates 12,500 dry rations and 1,000 shields to Bolivia’s armed forces

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The United States donated 12,500 dry rations and 1,000 protective shields to Bolivia’s armed forces.
  • Bolivian and US officials said the equipment would improve operational capabilities and support cooperation against drug trafficking and crime.
  • The delivery marks renewed engagement between Washington and La Paz after Bolivia began restoring relations with the United States under President Rodrigo Paz.

A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III delivered 12,500 dry rations and 1,000 protective shields to Bolivia’s armed forces on Wednesday.

Amanda Porter, the US Embassy’s minister counselor, handed over the supplies to Bolivian Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano at El Alto International Airport, which serves La Paz. The embassy said the aircraft is used for strategic transport and assistance missions.

Bolivia, as a founding member of the Americas Shield, is an important friend to us in the fight against drug trafficking and crime. The arrival of this aircraft and this support is a tangible symbol of that support and of our relationship.

— Amanda PorterRemarks at the handover ceremony at El Alto International Airport.

“Bolivia, as a founding member of the Americas Shield, is an important friend to us in the fight against drug trafficking and crime,” Porter said. “The arrival of this aircraft and this support is a tangible symbol of that support and of our relationship.”

Justiniano said the supplies would “contribute to improving the operational capabilities” of Bolivia’s armed forces. “We are very grateful for the support they are giving us, and we will use it to strengthen the work we are doing for the good of our homeland,” he said.

The delivery comes as Bolivia works to restore relations with the United States. Since President Rodrigo Paz took office in November, his government has pursued renewed ties with Washington. The countries have maintained relations at the level of chargés d’affaires since 2008.

Contribute to improving the operational capabilities.

— Ernesto JustinianoDescription of the donated rations and protective shields.

That year, then-President Evo Morales expelled US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and later expelled US cooperation and counternarcotics agencies, accusing them of conspiring against his government. The White House denied the accusation.

The Americas Shield alliance was signed in March by Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago. The Bahamas, Belize, Chile, Guatemala, Jamaica and Peru later joined, as did Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella.

We are very grateful for the support they are giving us, and we will use it to strengthen the work we are doing for the good of our homeland.

— Ernesto JustinianoExpression of thanks for the US donation.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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