Ecuador calls for consultations with Argentina after statements by Alberto Fernández
Ecuador has recalled the Argentine ambassador, Juan José Vásconez, for consultations in order to carry out an "exhaustive" analysis of relations between the two countries. Following statements that the Latin American country described as "interventions in the internal affairs of another state" made by the Argentine president, Alberto Fernández, about Lenín Moreno.
According to the press release, the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry is seeking to "impart the corresponding instructions" to the diplomat. A few hours earlier, the Ecuadorian government lodged a protest with Argentina in which it "emphatically rejected the expressions used by President Alberto Fernández", which it considers an "unacceptable intervention in the internal affairs of another state", the statement said.
The meeting was scheduled following statements by Fernández, who said that despite differences with Vice-President Cristina Fernández, he would not break with her because "he is not Lenín Moreno. Those who imagined that do not know me". The Argentinean president pointed out on the C5N television channel that "I may have differences with Cristina. I have them, we have different views on some things, but I arrived here with Cristina and I'm leaving here without Cristina". "I arrived with Máximo Kirchner, Sergio Messa and many others and I am not going to break with that unity," he added.
These statements refer to the fact that Moreno is in conflict with his former ally Rafael Correa. Correa governed between 2007 and 2017 and maintained close relations with Kirchner, who presided between 2007 and 2015. Correa promoted Moreno to the post, but soon after distanced himself from him. Moreover, the administration took a path that Correa described as 'treason'.
The Ecuadorian foreign ministry has condemned Fernández's words and assured that it "does not accept insulting comparisons with the president". And this is not the first time that the Argentinean leader has made political statements that generate condemnation from regional governments.
In May 2020, Jeanine Añez, the then leader of Bolivia's interim government, questioned Fernández's attitudes following remarks at an online meeting of politicians from the Puebla Group.
Bolivia's interim foreign minister, Karen Longaric, wrote on Twitter that "President Fernández insists on interfering attitudes, calling for like-minded groups to destabilise legitimate neighbouring governments". The minister added that "Bolivia rejects this conduct contrary to international law, which adds to the protection of the seditious acts of Evo Morales in Argentina".
The Bolivian minister denounced Fernández's call for Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia to join the opposition to defeat the conservative right. Months earlier, after Fernández had spoken out about the protests taking place in Chile, the Chilean government asked Buenos Aires not to make such statements.
Latin America Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra
