ECUADOR: Palacio attacks U.S., supports Bolivar

On June 21, President Alfredo Palacio declared that Ecuador will not be signing a treaty granting US troops in the country immunity from prosecution for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. The decision, which followed a US general's visit, is another blow to Washington: the Manta airforce base in Ecuador is one of just three US military "forward operating locations" in Latin America. In response to a US threat to suspend US$80 million in military aid if immunity was not granted, Ecuador's joint chief of staff Manuel Zapater said that the US had "already done too much" in Ecuador. Palacio said: "Absolutely no-one is going to frighten me." Palacio also distanced himself from criticisms of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez made by minister Luis Herreria, saying that they did not reflect the government's position. Dismissing claims that violence would result from Bolivarian movements emerging in Venezuela, he said that he followed the thinking of Simon Bolivar, and "no-one else".

From Green Left Weekly, June 29, 2005.

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From GLW issue 631