I am writing this column motivated by the Christmas spirit that is flooding the whole world these days.

Because regardless of language, race, religion, social, economic condition or political affiliation, today life moves more slowly; Friends gather, neighbors smile, family crosses the world to meet again in a deep and endless embrace.

I am writing this column knowing that although love and hate, goodness and evil, solidarity and selfishness, truth and lies, generosity and greed, loyalty and betrayal coexist in this world, the light always defeats the darkness in the end. That human beings are essentially good.

Dear homeland!

Therefore, I am convinced that our Ecuador has a way out. That the nightmare we are living can end. What better days are ahead. And although this largely depends on the holders of state authority, it will not be possible without the support of citizens.

Throughout my life I have exercised freedom of expression and publicly defended the freedom of others, at the cost of being stigmatized by the supreme authority that has governed Ecuador for more than a decade.

So, it is not about freedom of expression, and even less about its restriction.

But I believe that Ecuador is bleeding, not only because of the violence that has taken over its streets or because of the corruption that is widespread in state institutions, but also because of the hatred that is exuded by those who should be the responsible guides of public opinion.

The point is that there is no opinion without aggression; no comments without stigmatization; No wisdom, no benefit of the doubt. Always guilty and without the right to defend himself.

Do you think that embellishing insults with grandiose phrases and exaggerated words does not serve an ulterior motive?

A farce in the Assembly

And although the great voter is not aware of these meannesses, because they are busy surviving between the crossfire of the street, unemployment and a dilapidated public health system, it is no less true that, in the groups that have access to them, especially among the youngest, the seeds of discord, aggression and discord are sown, which does not bring anything good to the country.

For this reason, I want to publicly call on all those talented writers who once walked the paths of reasonable journalism to stop shouting, insulting and stigmatizing as a daily signpost.

I invite you to discuss the great issues of the country, openly, while respecting the opinions of others, realizing that there are no absolutes.

That the country is tired of discord and fights. That the new generations – who are already the majority – don’t want the same anymore. That there is a country to move forward. That we are all Ecuadorians and that should be what unites us.

From this column, we hope that you, dear readers, had a merry Christmas and that 2024 will be blessed. (OR)