WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today on the devastating earthquake in Ecuador that killed hundreds and injured thousands more over the weekend:

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that will challenge the people of Ecuador to their core. I extend my heartfelt thoughts to them and to the Ecuadorian-American diaspora, including the large community in New Jersey.

“I’ve called on the Obama Administration for a swift response and I applaud their efforts so far. It is my understanding that the United States has offered and Ecuador is preparing to accept U.S. disaster assistance. In times like these the United States should step forward to stand in solidarity with the people of Ecuador. It is my hope that extending this offer is the first step in a new direction for U.S.-Ecuador government-to-government relations.”

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