Previous Story
Patiño attacks the former naval leadership
Posted On 10 Jan 2017
The minister contends that certain authorities were devoted to something else and not to provide security. He began an investigation.It was someone else’s fault. For Defense Minister Ricardo Patiño, the latest changes in the naval leadership improved safety indicators at sea. The official held a press conference to accuse the previous administration as “carefree.”
“It must be said clearly: there was a lack of concern among certain authorities of the Navy, which is being reversed with the latest changes,” said the official. He relied on statistics on boat thefts since the new authorities took office in December: zero.
Patiño even apologized to the fishermen for the problems they had. Gabriela Cruz, president of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Cooperatives of Ecuador (Fenacopec), was present.
The former foreign minister also denounced the lack of dynamism in the previous heads of the Navy. Without giving names, he said that the reports of the events “never came in time.” To take action on the matter, he confessed, he attended the direct request from the fishermen.
The repair includes measures. An investigation has been initiated to establish responsibilities. “We are now conducting much deeper internal investigations.”
To Patino, the issue became unbearable after the increase in robberies boats. Last year, the theft of boat engines surpassed 400 cases (I).
