ECNETNews, New York, NY, October 9, 2024: The U.S. Department of State has officially barred two former Ecuadorian officials, Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado, a former president, and Jorge David Glas Espinel, a former vice president, from entering the United States due to their significant involvement in corrupt activities during their tenure in office.
According to the Department of State, both Correa and Glas misused their positions to accept bribes and political contributions in exchange for providing favorable government contracts. This decisive action by the U.S. government emphasizes its unwavering support for Ecuadorian citizens, particularly those in civil society, law enforcement, and investigative journalism, who strive for government transparency and the accountability of corrupt officials.
These actions are in alignment with Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024. This provision enables the public designation of individuals implicated in significant corruption. The U.S. government has reiterated the importance of anti-corruption measures, especially within government procurement processes, to ensure fair governance for all citizens.
The U.S. government has also expanded the entry ineligibility to Correa’s family, which includes his spouse and children, as well as Glas’ spouse and adult son, further signaling a strong stance against corruption.
This move underscores the U.S. commitment to combatting corruption globally, including among high-ranking government officials.
Rafael Correa held the presidency from 2007 to 2017 and was the leader of the PAIS Alliance political movement. His administration was known for implementing left-wing policies and he has been living in exile in Belgium since leaving office.
Jorge Glas served as vice president from May 2013 until his suspension in August 2017. He was later convicted for receiving substantial bribes in connection with the Odebrecht scandal and was arrested in April 2024 during a controversial raid on the Mexican embassy.
