Biden Administration Imposes Visa Bans on Former Ecuadorian Leaders for Corruption.
Washington — On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced visa bans on former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, his vice president Jorge Glas, and their immediate families due to corruption allegations.
The U.S. State Department declared that Correa and Glas are now barred from entering the United States. This ban extends to their spouses and children as well.
Correa, who was president from 2007 to 2017, often clashed with U.S. policies. Notably, he allowed Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to take refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London while Assange faced legal issues in the U.S.
In 2020, Correa was convicted in absentia on corruption charges in Ecuador and received an eight-year prison sentence. Since 2017, he has been living in exile in Belgium.
According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, “Correa and Glas abused their positions by accepting bribes, including through political contributions, in exchange for favorable government contracts.”
Miller emphasized the U.S. commitment to supporting Ecuadorians, including civil society members, law enforcement, and investigative journalists. He stated that these groups are dedicated to promoting government transparency and holding corrupt officials accountable.
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