The U.S. Department of State announced March 9, 2022, that former Ecuadorian President Abdalá Jaime Bucaram Ortiz is ineligible to enter the United States. This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriate Act, 2021 as carried forward by the Continued Appropriate Act, 2022. Under U.S. law, a 7031(c) designation is made against individuals with direct or indirect involvement in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, as well as their immediate family members. The Department is also designating Bucaram’s spouse, María Rosa Pulley Vergara, and sons Jacobo Abdalá Bucaram Pulley, Abdalá Jaime Bucaram Pulley, and Michel Abdalá Bucaram Pulley. Section 7031(c) of U.S. law allows for the public announcement of such a designation. The is no time limit on a 7031(c) designation. The decision was based on credible evidence of significant acts of corruption committed by Mr. Bucaram. This decision of the U.S. government demonstrates that no one, no matter how senior they may be or may have been, should be above the law.
The United States will continue to partner with Ecuador to increase transparency and rule of law, counter corruption, combat narcotrafficking, and increase citizen security. The United States will not hesitate to use all available tools at our discretion to promote accountability for corrupt individuals in Ecuador and the region. We will continue to crack down on illicit financing, freeze and seize stolen assets, deny or revoke visas, use targeted anti-corruption sanctions and criminal and civil enforcement actions. Through these activities we can ensure more accountable democratic governance for the citizens of both our countries. The United States stands united with the people of Ecuador.
