Ecuadorian Vice President Verónica Abad during a protocol ceremony. Photo: File photo.
Nubia Vera, a judge belonging to the Family, Women, Children, and Adolescents Judicial Unit of Ecuador, has granted the protection action filed by Vice President Verónica Abad and authorized her to resume her duties as vice president of Ecuador. Vera also ordered that as a measure of reparation, the minister of labor, Ivonne Núñez, publicly apologize to Abad through a message to the nation within 72 hours.
This Monday, December 23, following a month of hearings and an administrative summary process against her for alleged failure to comply with a presidential order, the courts annulled the administrative sanction imposed by the Ministry of Labor that had suspended Abad from her position for 150 days without pay. As a result, the vice president elected by popular vote will be able to assume office again.
Far-right Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa had made the controversial decision of appointing her as ambassador to the Israeli settler entity, in a move that many analysts consider a breach of the popular will and a constitutional violation. Tension between the two high officials have been evident since the beginning of Noboa’s government.
#UltimaHora #Ecuador 🇪🇨 | La jueza Nubia Vera acepta la acción de protección de la vicepresidenta ecuatoriana Verónica Abad, en contra del Ministerio del Trabajo, tras determinar que la cartera de Estado vulneró los derechos de Abad. pic.twitter.com/DowYBsXOxS
— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 23, 2024
The judge ruled that Ministerial Agreement No. MDT-2024-175 excludes from its application of regulations public servants belonging to the following careers: Judicial Function, Diplomatic Foreign Service, and healthcare service, which had been pointed out by the defense of Abad.
Vera explained that in the application of the measure against the vice president elected by popular vote, constitutional rights were violated, as well as effective judicial protection, legal security, due process in basic guarantees, and the presentation of evidence in a manner according to the Constitution, proportionality, and the right to defense in basic guarantees.
The judge also ruled that Abad must be paid the salary or other equivalent economic income that was lost after the administrative sanction was imposed against her.
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It should be noted that the decision is not final, but is to be applied immediately. Therefore, both parties can still challenge the decision, but, while it is being resolved, Abad will once again perform the functions that Daniel Noboa designates for her as vice president.
The verdict was delivered at a hearing at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, after the presentations of both parties had concluded on December 18.
Throughout the judicial process, experts have claimed that the sanction imposed on the vice president was a political maneuver by President Noboa to prevent her from replacing him when he retires to begin his presidential campaign, as new presidential elections are scheduled in Ecuador for 2025.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/AU
