U.S. delivers reconditioned jet boats to Ecuador to strengthen border control

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. delivers reconditioned jet boats to Ecuador to strengthen border control
2009-12-10 09:58:16

QUITO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. South Commander on Wednesday delivered 15 reconditioned jet boats to the Forth Division of the Ecuadorian Army to strengthen its force in fighting irregular groups across the Ecuador-Colombia border.

The hand-over ceremony was held at the Brigade of Selva 19 Napo in Orellana province, which is in charge of the border control in Sucumbios. U.S. soldiers demonstrated the boats' performance in the Napo River.

The boats now have stronger propelling force and can carry nine fully equipped men aboard, said General Hugo Villegas, chief of the Forth Division.

Present at the ceremony were also U.S. security and intelligence director of the South Commander, Rear Admiral Robert Parker, and other Ecuadorian military officers.

Parker said the U.S. assistance "will help the Ecuadorian Armed Forces to preserve the Ecuadorian sovereignty."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/10/content_12622383.htm

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"Preserving the Ecuadorian sovereignty": was that what they were doing when they helped Uribe bomb Ecuador a couple of years ago?

Thanks, but no, thanks.

What didn't they understand when Ecuadorians and President Correa asked them to leave last August?

Are they trying to give Ecuador a gift, hoping they can peel Ecuador away from its leftist allies? Divide and conquer?

[rabs]

1. Also nice weapons if there is ever a clash with Colombia

Fast boats carry a .50 caliber machinegun on the bow and two HK 5,56 mm machineguns on either side. Lots of firepower for riverine patrols. Turbo engine aboard enables boats to navigate in very shallow water, as opposed to the older models that had outboard motors.

Now, if only uribito's Colombia would send thousands of troops to patrol its southern border with Ecuador, it would not be necessary for the Ecuadorans to do it all by themselves.

[Judi Lynn]

2. So they could be useful, after all. Had no idea they were this rowdy!

They're capable of a whole lot of impact.

It has always seemed so odd Uribe has pointed his finger at Ecuador and Venezuela, claiming they both should patrol their borders so his political opponents couldn't cross over. That has sounded so cheap, lazy, and deceitful of him. They are not supposed to do HIS work for him.

Thanks for showing how these boats could be used, and providing a photo. Very interesting.