U.S. Embassy Raises Rainbow Flag on May 17 for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), the U.S. Embassy in Riga raised the rainbow Progress Pride flag today at a ceremony that included representatives from the Latvian government, diplomatic community, and civil society. “The United States stands with the LGBTQI+ community around the world and remains committed to equality for …

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United States European Command Donation of Household Appliances and Beds to Provide Support to Ukrainian Refugees in Latvia

On Tuesday, May 2, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson presented the Latvian government with 24 refrigerators and 24 washers. State Fire and Rescue Service Chief Colonel Mārtiņš Baltmanis and eight Latvian municipalities accepted the donation. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), the lead governmental agency …

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Complementary Response Small Grants Program

Call for Proposals: Complementary Response Small Grants Program (CRSGP) FY 2023 U.S. Embassy Riga in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs is pleased to welcome proposals for the Complementary Response Small Grants Program (CRSGP) from  potential partners working to assist Ukrainian refugees in Latvia. This support is meant …

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Notice of Funding Opportunity for Alumni of U.S. Government Programs

U.S. Department of State U.S. Embassy Riga The Embassy of the United States in Riga, Latvia announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2022 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2022). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that …

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U.S. and Latvian Officials to Commemorate Completion of Renovation Project at State Fire and Rescue Service’s 2nd Division in Daugavpils

Riga, January 18, 2022 – U.S. Ambassador John Carwile, Minister of Interior Marija Golubeva, Chair of Daugavpils City Council Andrejs Elksniņš, and Chief of State Fire and Rescue Service General Oskars Āboliņš will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate completion of the 16th fire station renovation project between the U.S. government and the Latvian …

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United States European Command Donates Medical Equipment to State Emergency Medical Service to Support Latvia During COVID-19 crisis

On Friday, March 19, U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian government with two single-patient isolation and transport systems. Minister of Health Daniels Pavļuts accepted the donation on behalf of the Latvian government. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian Ministry of Health and State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) to implement …

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Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

January 20, 2021 THE PRESIDENT: Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew …

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Statement by Ambassador John Carwile in Honor of the Barricades

On January 13, 1991, tens of thousands of Latvians peacefully took to the streets of Riga to erect barricades and defend Latvia’s fledgling independent, democratic institutions in the face of threats from Soviet forces. Seven Latvians lost their lives during the tense two-week standoff, but the Soviets failed to intimidate the defenders and ultimately withdrew …

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Statement by Ambassador Carwile

January 13, 2021. On January 13, 1991, tens of thousands of Latvians peacefully took to the streets of Riga to erect barricades and defend Latvia’s fledgling independent, democratic institutions in the face of threats from Soviet forces. Seven Latvians lost their lives during the tense two-week standoff, but the Soviets failed to intimidate the defenders …

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Ambassador Carwile And Minister Pabriks Open Special Operations Base in Riga

On November 25, 2020, Ambassador Carwile, together with Latvian Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks, and Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-built Special Operations Unit base in Riga. U.S. European Command (EUCOM) European Defense Initiative provided 3.7 million USD for the project. The new infrastructure, which includes …

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Air Force Training Mission in Riga

Riga, June 15, 2020–The U.S. Air Force plans to conduct a training mission on Jun 15, 2020, over the Riga airport. The U.S. routinely and visibly demonstrates commitment to our Allies and partners through the global employment of our military forces. Training together with NATO Allies enhances not only the readiness of U.S. forces, but …

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ALERT: Visa Services Suspension

On March 11, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued Presidential Proclamation 9993 titled “Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus.” This proclamation suspends entry as non-immigrants or immigrants for aliens who were physically present within the Schengen Zone during the 14-day period …

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Treasury Sanctions Corruption and Material Support Networks

U.S. Department of the Treasury December 9, 2019 Global Magnitsky and Venezuela designations target corruption on International Anti-Corruption Day Washington – Corruption is a global problem. It undermines the abilities of governments to adequately care for their citizens; erodes the legal, moral, and ethical fabric of society; and facilitates transnational crime. Today, on International Anti-Corruption …

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Anti-Corruption Day: Recognizing Latvia’s Efforts to Fight Money Laundering

Ambassador John L. Carwile December 4, 2019 Since my arrival in November as the United States Ambassador, Latvians have proven to be welcoming, gracious, and committed partners of the United States. Next week, we commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day, and what better way to mark the day than to review Latvia’s progress over the past year. …

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U.S. Embassy Nominates Brigita Dreiže as Trafficking in Persons Hero

Riga, September 5, 2019 – U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Latvia Paul Poletes hosted a lunch on September 5 in honor of Ms. Brigita Dreiže of the anti-trafficking working group in Liepāja. During the lunch, Chargé Poletes presented a certificate to Ms. Dreiže in honor of her nomination for the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero …

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The United States Air Forces in Europe Band to take part in Latvia’s centennial events

Riga, November 16, 2018 – To honour the centenary of Latvia, the The United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Band will take part in the parade of Latvian National Armed Forces in Riga on November 18. The orchestra will also perform a concert in Jumprava Culture House on November 19 at 16:00. Entrance to …

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Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea meets with Latvian Counterparts on Threats to the International Financial System

Riga, March 10, 2018 – U.S. Department of the Treasury Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea met with Latvian officials on March 8-9 to discuss illicit finance threats to the Latvian financial system. In his meetings, A/S Billingslea discussed risks posed to Latvia’s financial system from over-reliance on non-resident banking services, commended the significant …

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USS James E Williams Visit to Rīga

Riga, August 24, 2017 – On Friday, August 25, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS James Williams (DDG-95) will arrive in Riga, Latvia for a scheduled port visit. The port visit serves to enhance U.S.-Latvian relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Baltic region and Europe.  The ship’s presence in …

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U.S. and Latvian Military Engineers to Complete Repair Works at “Mēs esam līdzās” Rehabilitation Center

Riga, August 11, 2017 – The United States European Command (EUCOM), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Riga, U.S. Air National Guard, the Latvian National Armed Forces and the “Mēs esam līdzās” Rehabilitation Center have completed a humanitarian-civic assistance (HCA) project at the “Mēs esam līdzās” Rehabilitation Center. To mark the conclusion of the project …

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Check out Our New Site!

Yes, we have a brand new website! Have a look around! The new-look website has seven sections representing broad topics that may be of interest to you. The sections are broken down further into sub-categories to assist you in finding specific information. The Seven Sections are: Visas – For all your Visa needs and questions. U.S. Citizen Services – …

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2014 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award

February 13, 2014 The U.S. Embassy nominates Iluta Lace, Director of the Marta Resource Center for Women, for the 2014 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award. Iluta Lace has demonstrated exceptional courage in raising awareness and advocating for legal protections for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Under Iluta’s leadership, a dedicated …

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