Ministry of Foreign Affairs revoked visa citing bogus concerns about public security and the stability of the country 

Location: Ecuador, Quito
Date: June 24, 2024

Updated: July 17, 2024

Women Press Freedom strongly supports Cuban journalist Alondra Santiago, whose Ecuadorian visa was revoked by the Foreign Ministry following a request from the Ministry of the Interior. The Ministry accused the journalist of engaging in actions that are a “risk to public security and the State's stability" due to her criticism of President Daniel Noboa's government. In reaction, Santiago initiated a legal action seeking to invalidate the Foreign Ministry's decision to revoke the visa, thereby enabling the journalist to return to Ecuador. The court rejected the petition. The judge in charge confirmed that no constitutional rights had been violated. As a result, Santiago is barred from returning to Ecuador where she has lived since 2005. We strongly condemn this apparent act of censorship and intimidation aimed at suppressing press freedom. We urge the court to overturn its ruling and swiftly reinstate Santiago's visa.

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"The protection action filed by Alondra Santiago against the Government has been denied. We regret this. According to the reporting judge, no constitutional rights have been violated." said Carlos Soria, Santiago's lawyer.

Santiago, a Cuban-Ecuadorian who has been residing in Ecuador since 2005, left the country on June 28 after her visa was revoked as documented by Women Press Freedom.

The Foreign Ministry accused Santiago of engaging in activities deemed detrimental to public security and the state's foundation. The specifics of these alleged transgressions remain shrouded in secrecy, with authorities citing a report from the Center for Strategic Intelligence (CIES) as the impetus behind their actions yet refusing to disclose the contents of the said report on grounds of confidentiality.

Women Press Freedom fully supports Alondra Santiago and condemns the unjust revocation of her visa and the consequences she is enduring for simply carrying out her journalistic responsibilities. We view the cancellation of the visa and rejection of the appeal as direct attacks on press freedom. We call on the court to reverse its decision promptly and restore Santiago's visa and enable her to continue her work in Ecuador. Journalists should have the freedom to question authority and ensure accountability without fear of censorship or retaliation.

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