US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Ecuador Wednesday, as the government said it expects to sign “fundamental” security accords with the United States to tackle rampant cartel violence.

Ecuador has become a major transit point for cocaine trafficked from South America to Europe, the United States and Asia, attracting criminal gangs from around the world.

Rubio arrived in the capital Quito late Wednesday. On Thursday, he will meet with President Daniel Noboa, a right-wing leader who, like US President Donald Trump, has sought to expand use of the military at home.

Earlier in the day, Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg said he expected “agreements” soon with the United States to help combat violence that has transformed the country from one of Latin America’s safest to one

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