Quito, January 13 (Prensa Latina) The President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, today defended his government and in particular his brother-in-law Danilo Carrera against allegations of running an alleged corruption network in public companies in the electricity sector.
Carrera is a person I respect very much, I have known him for 64 years, he is an honorable, irreproachable man whose honor cannot be tarnished by using his face as a symbol of corruption, the President said of his relatives in an interview with the virtual magazine Plan V.
This week, digital outlet La Posta released audios and documents that involved El Gran Padrino — as the ruler’s sister’s husband is known — and other officials with a scheme to take bribes from state vendors.
Regarding this case, Lasso claimed there was an intention to “move the pond full of mud to see what they catch”.
He hopes that the judiciary will carry out appropriate investigations and demands that those who “slander and insult” also be punished.
The Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation into the complaints, although it is not known what actions they are taking to further the investigation.
Andean MP Virgilio Hernández wondered why no raids had been carried out, emergency measures enacted or the arrest of the accused for investigative purposes ordered before the serious charges were filed.
We see corruption at the highest levels and the entire state structure lends itself to doing big business for small economic groups while problems like insecurity and unemployment worsen in the country, Hernández said.
Political analysts believe that amid an election scenario, Lasso is desperate to divert attention and cover up the Godfather investigation, and that’s why he announced a tax cut as a populist measure, even if it could harm the country. Meanwhile, most national media ignore or give little coverage to allegations of alleged corruption, despite including the country’s highest authority.
mem/avr