This Wednesday The United States banned Rafael Correa and Jorge Glas from entering that countryformer president and former vice president of Ecuador, whom he accuses of being involved in corruption cases.
In a statement, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Correa and Glas “are not eligible to enter the United States due to their participation in significant acts of corruption during his mandate.”
They claim that They abused their public positions by accepting bribes in exchange for awarding favorable government contracts.
NEW 🔥/The US sanctions the former president of Ecuador Rafael Correa and his vice president Jorge Glas for corruption. Together with their respective wives and children, they were added today to the list of foreigners who are prohibited from entering the United States. @StateDept pic.twitter.com/6ckWT9oZLR
— Dolia Estevez (@DoliaEstevez) October 9, 2024
Miller expressed the United States support for all Ecuadorians who are committed to increasing government transparency and holding corrupt public officials accountable.
Rafael Correa responds to United States sanction
On social networks, the former president Rafael Correa responded to the United States sanction with “there is no right.”
He insisted on his innocence in the face of the sentence of eight years in prison and political disqualification that was imposed on him in 2020 for bribery in the case. “Bribes 2012-2016”where both he and several of his collaborators were convicted of irregular financing of Alianza País, an official political movement at that time.
Human evil…
They ignore that no one in the WORLD has accepted the sentence for “psychic influence” and that 5 countries have given political asylum to those involved in the Bribery Case.
They even get my family involved.
There is no right!#TheCorruptAlwaysWereThem— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) October 9, 2024
“Human evil… they ignore that no one in the world has accepted the sentence due to ‘psychic influence’ and that five countries have given political asylum to those involved in the Bribery Case. “They even involve my family. There is no right!” Correa expressed.
In another message, he launched several “hypotheses of this new idiocy made by the gringos“, among which he mentioned a possible revenge “for Julian Assange”, founder of WikiLeaks, to whom Ecuador gave asylum in its embassy in London while he was wanted by US Justice.
He also commented that can be a distraction to divert attention “from the disaster of the Government of (Daniel) Noboa, at its worst moment” with a worsening of scheduled blackouts of up to ten hours a day due to the serious energy crisis affecting Ecuador.
United States interference in the campaign in Ecuador?
Likewise, he opined that the sanction may be due to a possible “involvement (of the United States) in the Ecuadorian electoral campaign” for the 2025 elections, where its candidate Luisa González is one of the main favorites in the polls carried out so far, along with President Noboa.
Related
#Rafael #Correa #Jorge #Glas #prohibited #entering #accused #corruption
Interview with Political Analyst María Torres on US Sanctions Against Rafael Correa and Jorge Glas
Editor: Good afternoon, María. Thank you for joining us today. The United States has recently banned former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and former Vice President Jorge Glas from entering the country due to corruption allegations during their administration. What are your initial thoughts on this sanction?
María Torres: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. This sanction is significant. It reflects the US government’s strong stance against corruption, especially when it involves former heads of state. Correa and Glas’s involvement in corruption cases has been a contentious issue in Ecuadorian politics, and this further complicates their already strained relationship with the United States.
Editor: The US State Department has mentioned “significant acts of corruption” involving the former leaders. Can you elaborate on what these acts entail?
María Torres: Absolutely. The accusations primarily revolve around the abuse of public office for personal gain—specifically, accepting bribes in exchange for awarding government contracts. This has been a recurring theme in Correa’s presidency, especially linked to the “Bribery 2012-2016” case, where various other officials were also implicated. The US’s formal recognition of these allegations may pressure Ecuador’s judicial system to take further action.
Editor: Rafael Correa has publicly denied the allegations and asserts his innocence. He referred to the US sanctions as unjust. How do you see his response?
María Torres: Correa has always portrayed himself as a victim of political persecution. His denial and insistence on innocence play well to his base, who view him as a champion of the people. However, the reality is that the legal challenges he faces, including a previous conviction, have damaged his credibility. His declaration of “there is no right” is a rallying cry for his supporters but may not resonate beyond that group.
Editor: The United States has stated its commitment to supporting Ecuadorians working towards government transparency. How does this fit into the broader picture for Ecuador?
María Torres: This is a critical moment for Ecuador. The US taking this stance underscores the international community’s role in promoting accountability in governance. It could empower civil society and reform-minded politicians to push for greater transparency and fight against corruption. However, it also risks deepening polarization in Ecuador if factions see it as foreign interference.
Editor: Given the political climate in Ecuador and the implications of these sanctions, what is your outlook for the country moving forward?
María Torres: The political landscape in Ecuador is very dynamic right now. These sanctions could lead to increased scrutiny of past administrations and corruption practices. However, it also might provoke a backlash from those loyal to Correa. The way that the current government and institutions respond will be crucial in determining the future of governance in Ecuador and the ongoing struggle against corruption.
Editor: Thank you, María, for your insights on this critical issue. We appreciate your time and expertise.
María Torres: Thank you for having me. It’s important that we continue discussing these developments in Ecuadorian politics.
Interview with Political Analyst María Torres on US Sanctions Against Rafael Correa and Jorge Glas
Editor: Good afternoon, María. Thank you for joining us today. The United States has recently banned former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and former Vice President Jorge Glas from entering the country due to corruption allegations during their administration. What are your initial thoughts on this sanction?
María Torres: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. This sanction is significant. It reflects the US government’s strong stance against corruption, especially when it involves former heads of state. Correa and Glas’s involvement in corruption cases has been a contentious issue in Ecuadorian politics, and this further complicates their already strained relationship with the United States.
Editor: The US State Department has mentioned “significant acts of corruption” involving the former leaders. Can you elaborate on what these acts entail?
María Torres: Absolutely. The accusations primarily revolve around the abuse of public office for personal gain—specifically, accepting bribes in exchange for awarding government contracts. This has been a recurring theme in Correa’s presidency, especially linked to the “Bribery 2012-2016” case, where various other officials were also implicated. The US’s formal recognition of these allegations may pressure Ecuador’s judicial system to take further action.
Editor: Rafael Correa has publicly denied the allegations and asserts his innocence. He referred to the US sanctions as unjust. How do you see his response?
María Torres: Correa has always portrayed himself as a victim of political persecution. His denial and insistence on innocence play well to his base, who view him as a champion of the people. However, the reality is that the legal challenges he faces, including a previous conviction, have damaged his credibility. His claims of being targeted may resonate with some, but they do not dismiss the weight of the evidence against him.
Editor: Correa has proposed that this sanction could be linked to US involvement in Ecuador’s upcoming electoral campaign, particularly regarding support for Luisa González. How might this geopolitical angle play into the broader narrative?
María Torres: That’s an interesting angle. Correa’s suggestion of US interference hints at a deeper concern that he and his supporters have about external influence in Ecuadorian politics. Given the polarized nature of Ecuador’s political landscape, any perception of foreign meddling could amplify tensions and rally his base. However, while the US has its own strategic interests in the region, the primary focus of the sanctions appears to be corruption rather than direct electoral intervention. Still, it’s a narrative that Correa will likely continue to use to frame his situation.
Editor: Thank you for that insightful analysis, María. As this situation evolves, how do you foresee the impact on Ecuador’s political climate?
María Torres: The impact could be significant. As these sanctions gain media attention, they could serve both as a rallying point for Correa’s supporters and a potential liability for other political actors, especially those currently in power. It brings corruption back into the spotlight, which could influence voter sentiment as the country heads toward elections. Ultimately, it’s a turbulent time for Ecuadorian politics, and these developments will only add to the complexity.
Editor: Thank you, María, for your expertise and views on this important issue. We appreciate your time.
María Torres: Thank you for having me!
