This disproportionate reaction is what really hurts the good relations Argentines and Ecuadorians have maintained, Fernandez stated in a letter addressed to Lasso.

Lasso’s administration declared ambassador Fuks persona non grata after former Ecuadorian Head of Urban Development and Housing María de los Ángeles Duarte left the Argentine embassy in Quito.

Convicted for alleged corruption and considered political persecution, Duarte said she left Ecuador because the Lasso administration took her hostage after denying a safe-conduct that would allow her safe exit after asylum approved by Argentina.

The Ecuadorian president raised the existing tensions by questioning Fernandez’s relationship with former president Rafael Correa.

This situation can be put right easily. Only if he (Lasso) reflects on what he did and corrects his mistake.

pll/mgt/gas