US, Paraguay Deepen Ties With Pact to Fight Criminal Groups
Marco Rubio, right, and Ruben Ramirez shake hands in Washington on Dec. 15.
Photographer: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesThe US and Paraguay signed a security pact Monday that could allow US soldiers to operate in the South American nation as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on violent criminal gangs his administration considers terrorists.
The so-called status of forces agreement formalizes an existing partnership, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who praised Paraguay as one of his country’s “strongest allies in the world” and the region.