Washington, DC - Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson: "On behalf of the United States, best wishes to the Ecuadorian people on the anniversary of your independence.

"Since we established bilateral relations 169 years ago, our nations have enjoyed deep and growing ties. We have stood with the Ecuadorian people during trying times, and we are inspired by the spirit of perseverance exhibited as you rebuild, following last year’s devastating earthquake. The United States is Ecuador’s largest trading partner and we are committed to promoting mutually beneficial trade. We welcome the opportunity to work with President Lenin Moreno to build a constructive relationship based on mutual interest.

"We congratulate all Ecuadorians on this day of your nation’s independence and look forward to further developing the potential of our peoples."