Ecuador asks OAS arrangements to IACHR arrangements during drug forum

Ricardo Patino

During the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) carried out in the city of Antigua, Guatemala that aims to define strategies to fight against drug trafficking, Ecuador was the only country that opted out of the program and requested corrections to the Inter Human Rights (IACHR).

Once again Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño, gave a speech of 25 minutes, 19 more than allowed, which focused his words to attack the U.S. drug policy, for the invasion of Iraq, which he described as real terrorism. At the same time demanded the removal of the economic ban to Cuba and asked for support to Argentina in their claim for sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, it also questioned the OAS to legitimize “and covering the unilateral decisions of a country (USA) coated hemispheric consensus” it also defended the government of Venezuela for closing a private television channel.

When he finally touched on drug policy of Ecuador, Patino merely stated that in the Constitution of the Republic “drugs is a public health issue, hence it must be addressed by the State towards securing the right for the good of life of people…”

Finally he showed solidarity with Uruguay, whose counterpart shared his opinion and defended the “sovereign” decision of his government to regulate drug use.