Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced that Ecuador would not accept deported migrants of other nationalities, Reuters reported.
He also criticised Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for allegedly rejecting flights of Venezuelan migrants deported from the US. Noboa’s statement comes amid heightened tensions over migration policies in the region and ahead of Ecuador’s April 13 presidential run-off election.
In a post on X, Noboa emphasised that Ecuador would only accept its own citizens deported from other countries. Noboa’s comments reflect his administration’s focus on prioritising Ecuadorian nationals and addressing domestic challenges, including migration and economic issues, as he campaigns for re-election against candidate Luisa González.
We do not abandon our people.
Meanwhile, Maduro had previously stated that scheduled flights to repatriate Venezuelan migrants from the US were disrupted due to “this unexplained, tremendous commotion.” He attributed the disruption to the Trump administration’s decision to cancel a license allowing Chevron to operate in Venezuela, which he said damaged communication between the two countries.
Maduro and his government have long criticised US sanctions, calling them an “economic war” aimed at destabilising Venezuela. While acknowledging the impact of sanctions on Venezuela’s economy, Maduro has also highlighted the country’s resilience in the face of external pressures.
The exchange between Noboa and Maduro underscores the broader challenges of managing migration in Latin America. Venezuela has experienced a mass exodus of its citizens in recent years due to economic collapse, political instability, and social unrest. Many Venezuelan migrants have sought refuge in neighboring countries, including Ecuador, which has faced its own economic and social challenges.
