Truck Donation Boosts Salvadoran Military

View of the vehicles being donated.

On July 27, Ambassador Mari Carmen Aponte delivered 37 Ford Ranger pickup trucks to the Salvadoran Minister of Defense, José Atilio Benítez, for use by the Salvadoran Armed Forces (ESAF).

The donation, valued at approximately one million dollars, is part of DOD’s Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, and includes 31 Ford Ranger Double Cab 4x4 pickup trucks, model year 2011, and 6 Ford Ranger Single Cab 4x4 pickup trucks, model year 2010, as well as a package of spare parts.

The donation addresses part of the U.S. commitment under Partnership for Growth to help professionalize Salvadoran government institutions in their ability to provide security to the Salvadorans.

With these vehicles, the government of the United States quantifies his commitment with El Salvador. The aim is to strengthen the armed forces for the combat the problems of security and defense and to ensure that ESAF continues to be a strong, durable partner on security and defense related issues. The Ambassador Aponte said “it’s a pleasure to us to support the efforts of our friends to safeguard the security and sovereignty of their territory.”