Ecuador: President Moreno 'I Cannot Act As A Judge'

Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno made a statement on national television Wednesday to address different aspects of the difficult situation that the Andean country is currently undergoing. During his statement, Moreno asked Ecuadoreans to maintain political and judicial peace in the country.

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"There have been accusations against Vice President Maria Alejandra Vicuña. I cannot act as a judge," said President Moreno during his statement on Wednesday. Attorney General Ruth Palacios had said Tuesday that her office will initiate an investigation into the accusation against Vice President María Alejandra Vicuña, about receiving bribes while she was a lawmaker in return for getting jobs.

According to Moreno in Ecuador, there is an independent Justice system and judges are the ones to decide who goes on trial and who doesn't. On a tweet, earlier on Wednesday,  Moreno had stated that "the institutions created and the competent authorities will determine whether or not there are responsibilities," talking about this case.

Vicuña, who was backed by Lenin Moreno to be the Vice-President of Ecuador after Jorge Glas was ousted,  is now facing a corruption investigation.

Moreno also talked about protests that are happening in the northern region of Carchi, "a dialogue has begun regarding the province of Carchi. We understand the problems at the border, and its economic vulnerability that is affected by the situation of Ecuador and Colombia."

Arguing that in Ecuador freedom is present at last and that people in a democracy can express their discontent, he warned that "democracy and freedom are not the right to outrage, much less violence and the paralysis of public services," Moreno said. Adding "therefore, while I am president, the rights of all will be preserved, but we will not return to the country of strikes and road closures."