Top U.S. Diplomat Ousted by Ecuador, Blamed for Cutting Aid

His assignment in Ecuador as the U.S. immigration and customs enforcement attache ended in January, yet Ecuador’s president expelled him anyway, blaming him for cuts in financial aid to the country.

Irate over the suspension of $340,000 in funding, a third of which was for Ecuador’s Human Trafficking Unit, President Rafael Correa booted the United States top diplomat from the country, Armando Astorga, blaming him for personally cutting the funding. "Mr. Astorga, keep your dirty money! We don't need it. Here there is sovereignty and dignity," Correa sputtered during his weekly radio address to the nation. He also called Astorga "insolent and foolish." Marta Youth, spokeswoman for the U.S. embassy, said Astorga left Ecuador last month. She did not elaborate on what she said the decision to suspend financial assistance to Ecuador was based on Ecuador’s own government policy. In a letter to the Ecuadorian government on Jan. 8, the U.S. also announced the suspension of funds that aided anti-contraband police, and demanded the return of all donated equipment, including vehicles, furniture, cameras and phones.