The problems we face in relation to our international and national security are extremely dangerous.

At the international level, the claim that Russia makes to us for supplying or attempting to supply, directly or indirectly, Ecuadorian weapons to Ukraine, in the middle of the war between these two countries, is formally serious. He said it was a “hostile” act, which, in diplomatic parlance, is a warning of hostility.

We stopped being neutral, we became allies of Ukraine and enemies of Russia because of this material of Russian and Ukrainian origin. According to the press release of the Russian Embassy, ​​the Government of Ecuador previously expressed its position of neutrality. Perhaps the most illustrative is to look at the attitude of the United States towards anyone who sells arms to Russia: they apply all possible sanctions. In the same way, Russia could stop buying bananas from Ecuador, of which it is the main customer.

These things are not solved by personal or ideological sympathies, they are done for the benefit of the state. Trying to minimize the importance of the problem by calling war material “waste”, we ask: if it is “waste”, why are they taking it? Let’s preserve the current material – which we understand is still in Ecuador – and avoid siding with either side. It is said to be a transaction of around 200 million dollars. Ecuador, as the interim president of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, must strive to end the conflict and not contribute to its continuation with weapons. We understand that this arms contribution to Ukraine was an initiative of the previous administration, which makes it easy for President Daniel Noboa to cancel it. In law, it is good to maintain our ancient thesis that conquest does not confer rights.

At the national level, Ecuadorians have received with great satisfaction the cooperation between the Armed Forces and the National Police for frontal action against organized crime; This stimulated the patriotic interest that creates a national cause. That’s what we had until the last century in the defense of the national territory. Any failure will be overcome: the declaration of an internal armed conflict is dangerous because it elevates criminals to the rank of warriors with corresponding rights.

In order to finance the costs of this action by the Armed Forces and the National Police, the Government proposed to increase the VAT by three points (from 12% to 15%), which would generate about one billion dollars. Let’s admit that it is absolutely necessary to maintain ITT oil production. Quixotically, we want to spend double the amount to plug the production wells, stop getting that steady income and consequently pay new taxes. We decided this while the major powers are increasing oil production. Likewise, we strive for economic aid from abroad for this struggle. The President of Nobo should include in the public consultation a request to citizens to cancel the previous consultation on ITT. (OR)