The United States government donated four Explosives Trace Detectors (ETD) to the Autoridad de Aviación Civil de El Salvador (AAC). The equipment, delivered through the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is worth approximately $135,000 and will be used at Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador, «Óscar Arnulfo Romero».

ETD’s are a key tool to ensure airport security, allowing for the rapid and accurate detection of traces of explosives in baggage, cargo and people. Manufactured in the United States by OSI Rapiscan, a world leader in non-intrusive screening equipment, this state-of-the-art equipment will strengthen security measures and help prevent potential terrorist acts, ensuring that high standards of protection are maintained. The donation reflects the strong U.S. commitment to work alongside El Salvador as it strives to ensure a safer environment for travelers, many of whom are U.S. citizens.


U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, William H. Duncan, led the ceremony and presented the equipment to the Executive Director of the CAA, Homero Morales, and the President of the Comisión Ejecutiva Portuaria Autónoma (CEPA, Federico Anliker. During the handover ceremony, Ambassador Duncan emphasized: “This modern equipment will strengthen security controls at the airport, protecting both salvadoran travelers and the thousands of international tourists, including many U.S. citizens who visit this beautiful country.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the CAA emphasized: “Strengthening aviation security is a priority that guides every action of our institution. The incorporation of this explosive trace detection equipment, because of international cooperation, consolidates the effort that we promote daily from the CAA to ensure that salvadorans have a civil aviation at the height of international standards, reliable, technological, and oriented to the welfare of those who use and work in our aviation system”.

The President of CEPA, Federico Anliker, said: “The donation is part of the strong ties of cooperation between El Salvador and the United States and also responds to the institutional commitment to further enhance our capabilities. This delivery benefits the entire country, as it strengthens checkpoints and directly contributes to the safety of millions of passengers, airlines and all the actors involved in the airport ecosystem”.

This act underscores the commitment of the United States to work closely with El Salvador to combat terrorism and organized crime, strengthening security in the region and demonstrating the importance of international cooperation and partnership in the fight for peace and stability.