Ecuador hires publicist to influence United States

Ecuadorian ambassador in Washington, Nathalie Cely

The Embassy in Washington referred yesterday in a statement on the hiring of Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA), one of the most important companies of the United States on public relations, to thereby influence the U.S. Congress and the halls of power in Washington.

“It is a priority for the Embassy and the Government of Ecuador to participate in conversations that help to deepen dialogue and strengthen a healthy bilateral relationship that benefits both countries,” said Nathalie Cely, Ecuador U.S. ambassador.

The contract of the Ecuadorian Embassy with Van Scoyoc Associates will run for half a year, and will have a cost of $ 300,000, as indicated by documents of the Justice Department of the United States.

This agreement was reached following a request for asylum made by former informant of the National Security Agency (NSA), Edward Snowden, which led some members of the U.S. government to request the suspension of the tariff benefits to the South American country.

Because of this, the Ecuadorian government  renounced to all U.S. trade benefits, shortly after the representation agreement with the public relations firm Patton Boggs was closed.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden personally requested Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, not to give shelter to Snowden, since he must respond in the country on charges of espionage against national security for which he has been accused.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden personally requested Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, not to give shelter to Snowden, since he must respond in the country on charges of espionage against national security for which he has been accused.