U.S. suspended bilateral talks with Ecuador

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2011.- U.S. Department of State indefinitely suspended a series of bilateral dialogue mechanism with Ecuador, after the government of President Rafael Correa fired and declared as persona non grata to the U.S. ambassador in Quito Heather Hodges.

These mechanisms of dialogue that had been implemented in the year 2008 fueled treaty of bilateral interests revolved around trade issues, investment and migration.

The announcement was made ​​by Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Luoma-Overstreet, who added with respect to Hodges, the Correa government’s decision “was hasty and unwarranted.”

Hodges was ejected for her comments revealed on Wikileaks cables, where the ambassador had assured that the Ecuadorian president “knew and allowed” corruption in the police.

Moreover, in this context, the U.S. Congress is considering withdrawing all assistance programs to Ecuador, as well as all member countries of ALBA. The move is driven by Republican lawmakers.