15 May 2020
The U.S. government, through the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) remodeled the barracks and dining rooms of the Special Forces Command, located in Ilopango, with an investment of $84,000.
The remodeling work included the cleaning, general maintenance and repairs for the barracks and dining rooms which accommodate 400 soldiers. The United States and El Salvador have a long history of collaboration and the military has worked successfully in a number of different training and humanitarian missions. This renovation project is key to future training exercises and collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador, while improving vital and permanent facilities for Special Forces Command capabilities.
U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson stressed the importance of military-to-military cooperation, “We work together with democratic countries like El Salvador because experience has shown us that only by joining forces can we overcome the challenges we face, and we recognize that adequate facilities and infrastructure are essential for the Salvadoran Armed Forces to meet their objectives.”
Since the turnover of this project, the Armed Forces of El Salvador has assigned these dormitories to soldiers who are working directly on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Ilopango area. As of this week, a group of soldiers working on the delivery of food baskets are also housed in the new dormitories.
In recent weeks, the United States has donated nearly $72 million to address the COVID-19 pandemic, improve security, strengthen the economy and support the fight against illegal migration in El Salvador. As a key partner of the country, it has provided more than 80,000 donations of food and hygiene kits, bedding, disinfectant gel and protective equipment for people in quarantine and for those who protect the safety and health of the population. Over the past 20 years, the United States has invested $2.6 billion in El Salvador’s long-term development.
Pictures of the renovated barracks
