WASHINGTON–Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva led 12 Members of Congress in a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for a strong denunciation of human rights abuses and political repression by the Ecuadorian government of Lenín Moreno. Additionally, the lawmakers called on “Ecuadorian authorities to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections.” Ecuador’s elections are set to take place on February 7, 2021.

The letter describes the Moreno government’s unpopular austerity policies that have resulted in mass protests and expresses concern over the Moreno government’s targeting of political opponents, such as Paola Pabón, and recent moves by electoral authorities attempting to bar the presidential candidacy of Andrés Arauz.

“We condemn these attempts by the Moreno administration to stifle dissent, persecute political opponents and prevent the country’s leading opposition movement from freely participating in elections,” the lawmakers wrote. “With democracy under increasing threat throughout the hemisphere, we call on you to engage in urgent dialogue with the Moreno government to demand an end to these human rights violations and insist on free, fair and inclusive elections in Ecuador.”

Click here to read the letter.

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