Ecuador-Argentina diplomatic spat grows after ex-minister's escape

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - A diplomatic row between Ecuador and Argentina has escalated after a convicted Ecuadorian minister, who was living in the Argentine Embassy, escaped to Venezuela.

Maria de los Angeles Duarte, a former transport and public works minister sentenced to eight years in prison on bribery charges, had taken refuge in the embassy in Ecuador’s capital Quito since August 2020.

She escaped to Venezuela’s capital Caracas, Ecuadorian and Argentine authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement declaring Argentine Ambassador Gabriel Fuks persona non grata, adding that it has also called back Xavier Monge, its envoy in Buenos Aires, for consultations.

Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguin said Duarte lived in Fuks’ official residence for more than two years to avoid prison.

Argentine officials made statements with inconsistencies and refused to hand over surveillance footage, the Ecuadorian ministry said.

A statement by Argentina’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that “Duarte is currently in Caracas,” but said she did not tell Argentine officials “why she took such a decision.”

Argentina will also recall its envoy from Quito and expel Ecuador’s ambassador, the ministry added.

Argentina had previously offered Duarte asylum but Ecuador barred her from leaving the country.

In a tweet, Duarte said she left for Venezuela “because the Ecuadorian government turned me into a political hostage,” accusing the governments of former Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno and incumbent Guillermo Lasso of persecution.