Ecuadorian vice president Verónica Abad: ‘President Noboa has lost his moral compass, he is a totalitarian’ | International

Ecuadorian Vice President Verónica Abad is packing her bags to return to her country. This came after being held abroad for almost a year as a “peace ambassador” with the vague mission of “mediation”. Conflict between Israel and Palestine. And just four days ago, he was removed from the government in an unprecedented political and legal move.

The Ministry of Labor sentenced him to a 150-day suspension, accusing him of “unjustly leaving office”; Given that he is an elected official, this punishment does not apply to his situation. Moreover, in the regulation put forward by the Minister of Labor, a sanction of 5 months is not foreseen, but a sanction of 30 days at most.

The government, which had previously declared Abad a “political enemy”, is trying to prevent Abad from assuming the presidency. President Daniel Noboa He had to leave office in January to participate in the elections scheduled for February 9, 2025. The administrative procedure initiated by the Ministry of Labor came into effect after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave instructions on the decision to remove Abad from Tel. Aviv went to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, arguing that they needed to protect him against the increasing violence in Israel. Abad was instructed to arrive in Turkey on September 1, but he arrived eight days later, on the 9th, after sending the two youngest of his three children to Ecuador.

In his latest political move, President Noboa appointed Planning Minister Sahira Moya as vice president, invoking Article 150 of the Constitution due to the temporary absence of the Vice President. Abad was given a five-month sanction to coincide with the runoff elections in 2025, when the current administration’s term expires. The entire government apparatus, including the Armed Forces, reinforced the executive branch’s decision. Joint Command Chief Jaime Vela referred to Abad as a “former vice president,” even though he had not yet lost his official position.

Without a proper title, security, salary or family, 48-year-old Verónica Abad remains in Turkey. He attempted to return to Ecuador to appear before the National Assembly, which summoned him to explain his situation. However, his attempt failed.

In an interview with EL PAÍS via video call, Abad analyzes the details of his dismissal. He calls the president’s maneuver an act of “totalitarianism” and condemns violations of the law by people lacking “conscience.”

Question. You said that the only missing step for you not to remain in the government was to be “killed”. Do you think the president can go that far?

Reply. To avoid (the presidential process), he had to either (remove me from my post) or take my life. On the one hand, I didn’t imagine it would go this far… on the other hand, yes, I did. Only an unscrupulous person could do what he did to me. who is ready to do anything. This is no longer just a political issue: the president is ready to do anything. It all started when they sent me to Turkey (under the pretext of my safety). They moved me from Israel to Ankara with a Presidential decree that had no justification. They did not provide me with security in israelany. Not here, not anywhere. And that’s not all. The administrative (device) – as we have just seen – is in his hands. The government manipulated the entire administrative structure in its own way, without legal support, by trampling on the laws and using force to intimidate me. Therefore, I call on the courts to determine the legitimacy of the government’s actions.

Q. How did you react to the decision of the Ministry of Labor that gave you a 150-day suspension?

A. We offered preventive (legal) action as a precaution. This has already been given to a judge. We also asked the Turkish Grand National Assembly to deal with this issue, supervise it and request an explanation from the Constitutional Court on this issue. The Vice Presidency is going through a fearful time with the appointment of the person appointed to the position. We submitted a statement stating that this was a state of rebellion. Our right to resist this outrageous act of appointing a new person to head the vice presidency is now written. We have also referred the matter to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) so that it can urgently review the president’s decision to opt for my outright removal. This is not the decision of the Minister of Labor, it is the order of the President and must be prosecuted.

Q. Was this an order from the president?

A. Definitely. And he won’t stop. He has already said (on Wednesday, November 13) that he has asked the government’s new minister to examine his bank accounts. in tax havens – which were invented – which my son (supposedly) has. He will have to answer to international organizations that do not follow his actions. He is a president who continues to drag others through the mud so that everyone looks bad and no one sees the evil in him.

Q. Do you think the justice system will make this decision before January 5, when you need to come to power?

A. I hope so. However, it is also a fact that we are faced with a judicial system that is under pressure from forces that do not respect the rule of law.

Q. Have you met with anyone from the IACHR to expedite the injunction and rectify this sanction?

A. Not directly. 15 days ago, the UN Human Rights Committee held a hearing in Geneva, where the commission questioned Ecuadorian officials about the case. The Minister of Women and the attorney general were also there… they neither talked about this issue nor responded to my case or the other cases discussed. The Committee expressed concern that justice in Ecuador is severely restricted by different powers, including the executive branch.

Q. What do you plan to say to the Turkish Grand National Assembly that summoned you?

A. Actually. (The duty of legislators) is to supervise. In the middle of all this is a lack of accountability and officials doing illegal things while following the president’s orders. We need to save the separation of powers. A single force cannot take over the country.

Q. What will you do if precautionary measures are not taken?

A. I will remain determined. I continue I believe in democracy. Laws are for us (to guarantee) the freedom to live in order and justice. Now I want to fight harder for this. This will not make me weak, on the contrary.

Q. What was it that bothered President Noboa so much about you?

A. I don’t know. But I think the president lost sight of (his moral compass) and saw Ecuador as his own property. We are faced with a person who takes dictatorial actions.

Q. Is the president a dictator?

A. Yes of course. He is a totalitarian. He showed this from the very beginning by exiling me. The ceiling of a democratic president should be the law to limit his powers… and he doesn’t like to follow the law because he believes he is too powerful.

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