by OSCAR LEON
Exclusive interviews and leaked messages reveal how a key ally of the US weaponized the fight against corruption and criminal organizations to selectively prosecute Ecuador’s heads of state, viciously persecuting Rafael Correa and his Revolución Ciudadana movement on flimsy evidence, while delaying investigations into much graver crimes allegedly committed by his successors.
Recently-leaked secret chats obtained by The Grayzone expose how Ecuadorian prosecutor Diana Salazar leaked information to a subject of an ongoing investigation, undermining the prosecution of associates of Ecuador’s current and previous US-aligned presidents, and acted hand-in-glove with the United States government, which essentially selected and controlled prosecutions from Washington.
The shocking revelations of corruption and US meddling in the geopolitically-crucial South American nation have been largely ignored by the US government and corporate media outlets.
A full transcript of this Grayzone documentary by Oscar Leon follows:
“Invading and occupying a country has historically come at a high cost, both financially and in terms of human lives. However, in the 21st century, where asymmetrical warfare prevails, dominating a nation can be achieved through more subtle means. Enter lawfare—an easier and less costly method of steering a key country in the geopolitical chess game.
Despite presiding over Ecuador’s decline from a country with functioning institutions to what some now call a narco-state, Attorney General Diana Salazar has recently been leading what many critics describe as a ‘witch hunt’ against the left-leaning Revolución Ciudadana Movement, under the guise of fighting corruption and narco-trafficking.
While a handful of instances of corruption during Revolución Ciudadana’s decade in power are well-documented, a number of high-profile cases fail to hold up under legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, major cases of corruption and narco-trafficking involving right-wing politicians who support global corporate interests have largely been ignored by the press and quietly ushered into impunity by authorities. The narrative propagated by media conglomerates, which are owned by those with clear stakes in the geopolitical battle, reinforces this bias—a factor that has helped the right-wing win the cultural and electoral battles.
As general elections approach, Attorney General Salazar now faces a trial in Congress. Salazar has publicly labeled the judicial action a ‘narco-trial,’ alleging that unspecified cartel-linked interests are behind the case. This narrative has gained traction in mainstream media, influencing electoral calculations.
The trial was brought on in part by newly-leaked secret chats, obtained by The Grayzone, which were written on an app known for deleting messages after a single viewing. The messages show Salazar leaking information to a subject of an ongoing investigation, refusing to prosecute associates of Ecuador’s current and previous US-aligned presidents, and acting hand-in-glove with the United States government.”
Are presidents being prosecuted selectively?
A.G. Salazar had a hand in cases involving the last 3 former presidents of Ecuador — cases that not only have decided the fate of those politicians but also the political destiny of the entire country. The following questions illustrate the disparity in treatment A.G. Salazar dispensed to each one of these cases.
Was the Correa case a solid case?
In April 2020, former President Rafael Correa was held responsible for up to a billion dollars in damages to the state and received a lifetime ban from holding political office. He was also sentenced to eight years in prison. This case marked a turning point in Ecuador’s political landscape, particularly because, despite the numerous legal battles against him, Correa has been consistently projected to win any election he participated in.
The Gray Zone for more