Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa Wednesday described as “powerful” the reports issued by teleSUR on the CIA’s involvement in the country and its relation with journalists, media and politicians to destabilize his government through smear campaigns.
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In a press conference, the Ecuadorean head of state affirmed he had evidence proving teleSUR's reports were true.
“The National Endowment for Democracy is the CIA’s financial branch—like in Venezuela, in Bolivia—it does not fund the Red Cross anymore, it funds groups providing training on democracy, this means, destabilizing the government and other opposition movements,” Correa claimed.
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He said his government knew about the CIA’s involvement in the country, which opposition groups received funds, and which strategies they used such as social networks, web pages, alleged political analysts and researchers who caused outrage.
This is “an organized action to discredit and, if possible, to destabilize” the government, Correa explained.
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Correa thanked teleSUR, saying it confirmed what he had already warned about. Moreover, teleSUR revealed the names of CIA employees in the country “and they’re right, we knew it,” he added.
He recalled that in 2008 the government expelled a CIA agent known as Suad, who used to sell carpets in northern Quito. Even police commanders, politicians and journalists visited him in order to ask for instructions.
The head of state said that after the bombings in Angostura in 2008 by the Colombian military, they found that the country’s intelligence services were co-opted by foreign embassies.
After the revelation, the Ecuadorian government created a National Secretariat of Intelligence with modern equipment, in order to ensure better coordination under the state’s sovereignty.
He recalled that even the appointments of authorities for the Police Special Investigation Unit depended on the U.S. Embassy back then.
According to a report from a special commission, Manuel Silva, former UIES director, allegedly handed hard drives to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador after the 2008 bombings.
teleSUR's investigation showed how the CIA, through the U.S. Agency for International Development and the National Endowment for Development, gave economic resources to opposition forces for the destabilization of progressive governments in the region with the aim of keeping geopolitical control under the thumb of big U.S. companies.
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Audiovisual material of the regional broadcaster demonstrated the role of several Ecuadorian and foreign politicians in the CIA’s destabilization plans, including former intelligence director of the armed forces Mario Pazmiño, oil trade unionist Fernando Villavicencio, sentenced in the country for libel against President Correa, and SWAT agent Leyla Hadad Perez, a Lebanese citizen who was operating undercover in the country relaying U.S. orders to politicians in the South American country.
Among the allies of the U.S. strategy are journalists like Emilio Palacio, who sought asylum in the United States, Juan Carlos Calderon, Christian Zurita, Carlos Vera, Martin Pallares, Cesar Ricaurte, among others, who have been given funds to comply with U.S. aims.
Digital media including PlanV, Focus, Crudo Ecuador, 4Pelagatos, financed by North American offices for the alleged development of democracy, human rights and freedom of speech, are part of this network.
teleSUR also revealed dubious meetings between CIA agents and Ecuadorian politicians such as Gustavo and Marcelo Larrea; Marta Roldos’ relationship with U.S. agencies seeking finance for projects; the constant organization of violent demonstrations by Andres Paez, among other U.S. activities.