The US State Department confirmed on September 4 that Secretary Marco Rubio will visit Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru next week. ^[1] President José Raúl Mulino of Panama visited Guayaquil, Ecuador, resulting in the formal subscription of terms of reference for a Partial Scope Economic Complementation Agreement. ^[2] On September 4, 2026, President Noboa proposed selling unproductive real estate assets of the IESS worth $2 billion to generate liquidity for social security operations. ^[3] A stated objective of the visit is to increase cooperation in the joint fight against narcoterrorism threatening the hemisphere. ^[4] Secretary Marco Rubio will meet with President Noboa in Ecuador during his trip. ^[5] Between January and June 2026, Ecuador exported non-petroleum products to Panama worth USD 58.1 million, while imports reached USD 44.8 million. ^[6] President Mulino and Ecuadorian President Noboa agreed to maintain and reinforce cooperation to face transnational organized crime, with emphasis on intelligence, urban security, and border protection. ^[7] The terms of reference document establishes the path for the two governments to discuss the conditions of the future convention. ^[8] In 2026, the IESS pension fund is projected to receive $3.438 million in contributions while spending over $7.400 million, and the health fund is projected to receive $1.617 million while spending $2.185 million. ^[9] In April 2015, the fixed state contribution of 40% for financing pensions was eliminated, and in November 2015, the IESS Council reduced the allocation to the pension fund from 9.74% to 5.86%. ^[10] Under the presidency of Correa, decisions were made that weakened the IESS, including the removal of a constitutional requirement to create a financial entity within 180 days. ^[11]