There are people who obsessively seek the truth and explore our surroundings outside of paid work. We investigate in our personal lives and, when we find some truth that was hidden, it often hurts; It’s the light that hurts the eyes when viewed from the front.

This society is not used to knowing the truth, out of fear or comfort, which is the same thing. That is why, when journalism reveals an investigation, people are surprised, they admire them, but in the end they leave the journalists alone with their discovery. They kill them there, and they even know how to say: “Why are you meddling in dangerous topics?”

Ambassador’s signals

This December 7, US Ambassador Michael Fitzpatrick made his second strongest statement; The first were when he talked about drug generals. Then he pointed out that there is a list of them. On that occasion, he warned that corruption in Ecuador no longer only occurs in the public sector, but that through money laundering it is also spreading to other areas, for example in some football clubs, and even in the media that have shown a conservative line. Regarding this last point, he added that there are funds that divert criminal investigations, which is a harsh statement for those of us who understand what it means to conduct an investigation and fight corruption.

Fitzpatrick said clearly, officially, in his two speeches what is happening in Ecuador. This act is highly commendable, because in the previous government, the police, the army, the press and society, it was talked about in the corridors, but no one dared to say it clearly and loudly. But, unfortunately, his statements remained only heated speeches, because no measures were taken at home. He, as a diplomat, cannot do more; Otherwise, it would be a direct intervention in the situations of a sovereign country.

We all hope that President Daniel Noboa will do something. After the ambassador’s statements, the president said that money laundering must be attacked. Appropriate words, because transnational organized crime lives for its large capital. Money is his heart.

Experts point out the actions that should be followed. For example, the Ecuadorian Organized Crime Observatory (OECO), in its bill X, proposes nine courses of action; Among them, the establishment of an inter-institutional policy aimed at influencing illicit economies stands out – with which the head of state agrees. It is also said that the Government must establish greater inter-institutional coordination.

In recent years, the inconsistency of state institutions has been visible, and organized crime has international advisers, members trained abroad in order to adequately perform their functions within the group.

With regard to Ambassador Fitzpatrick’s statements, as a society we hope that the executive will take measures regarding security, and I hope that the National Assembly is on the same level and does not persecute the authorities for political whims. (OR)