The Ecuadorian Navy assures that none of its high-ranking officers have had their American visa withdrawn or denied

The Ecuadorian Navy indicated in a statement – dated October 27, 2022 – that it carried out a verification of the status of the US visas of all admirals and captains of ships, weapons, technicians and services of the institution, and concluded that none of them have been withdrawn or denied if they have requested them.

Michael Fitzpatrick, ambassador of the United States in Ecuador, has spoken about the withdrawal of visas to senior officers of the Police and Armed Forces, as well as politicians, lawyers and judges, as part of his country’s anti-corruption policy.

“This information continues to be processed and if there is any news, it will be immediately communicated to the Joint Command of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defense,” the bulletin said.

He added: “The Navy reaffirms its vocation of service to the Homeland and its firm actions for the protection and security of citizens, always acting under the principles of honor, courage and discipline; Those who act or carry out activities far from these values, regardless of their hierarchical level, must submit to administrative disciplinary processes in accordance with current regulations, without prejudice to legal actions that may be instituted.

The Navy began this investigation of its highest-ranking officers last August after it became known that this document had supposedly been revoked from 18 soldiers, especially from that branch of the Armed Forces.

In this regard, the United States ambassador to Ecuador, Michael J. Fitzpatrick, said in an interview with Vistazo magazine the following: “Without commenting on specific cases, we will continue to crack down on illicit financing, freezing and seizing stolen assets, denying or revoking visas, using specific anti-corruption sanctions and criminal and civil enforcement actions.”

Later, the Joint Command of the Armed Forces gave a press conference and assured that the military entity had not been notified about the alleged withdrawal of visas.

In December 2021, Fitzpatrick already made public the withdrawal of visas from Ecuadorian officials, lawyers, politicians and ‘narco-generals’ from the National Police.

The Comptroller General of the State indicated weeks ago that it plans to begin in January 2023 the review of the sworn statements of assets of 44 generals of the Armed Forces in response to the complaint by the US ambassador. (YO)