July 13, 2018
Correcting the Record: Erroneous Allegations Claiming U.S. Threats towards the Ecuadorian Government
Recent news reports included erroneous allegations about supposed threats and pressures made by U.S. government officials during bilateral discussions with Ecuadorian government officials about a resolution on breastfeeding at the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2018. These allegations have been debunked by both U.S. and Ecuadorian governments as completely false.
The Ecuadorian government, in a July 9, 2018 joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, rejected claims that any outside pressures influenced the Ecuadorian government’s position on the resolution. Subsequently, both Foreign Minister Jose Valencia and Foreign Trade Minister Pablo Campana affirmed to Ecuadorian press that there was no pressure exerted by the United States on this resolution.
In a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the U.S. government confirmed that at no time did the U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, Todd C. Chapman, or anyone affiliated with the U.S. Mission in Ecuador, threaten Ecuador with trade sanctions or the withdrawal of security assistance related to discussions about this resolution or any other matter. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has affirmed U.S. support for breastfeeding around the world. Both Ecuador and the United States joined the international consensus on the final resolution in support of breastfeeding at the World Health Assembly.
The United States and Ecuador enjoy a strong and growing bilateral relationship, highlighted during the June 27-28 visit of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to Quito, Ecuador, and his substantive discussions with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno. We will continue to collaborate closely with Ecuador to advance our mutual interests in security, prosperity, and health for both countries.
