This week, Ecuador’s prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into Joseph Santiago Diaz, a lawmaker linked to a serious allegation involving the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Reports indicate that this inquiry was triggered after Diaz claimed the girl’s father exploited the trust of her mother and aunt, leading to the alleged crime. It appears the incident occurred approximately two months ago, around the time Diaz took office.
A local newspaper reported that the girl’s father informed law enforcement that his daughter was taken to a gathering hosted by Diaz, where alcohol was present. Ecuadorian law notably prohibits the naming and imaging of minors involved in abuse cases.
In response to the allegations, Diaz has denied any wrongdoing, suggesting the charges stem from a so-called “troll center” allegedly established by the Ecuadorian government. On Wednesday, he took unpaid leave to prepare his legal defense.
Diaz is affiliated with the Citizen Revolutionary party, founded by former president Rafael Correa, who is currently living in Belgium after being convicted of corruption. According to Ecuadorian magazine Vistazo, Diaz has been connected to Correa since 2006, holding various governmental roles during Correa’s presidency. Notably, Soledad Padilla, an aide to former Vice President Jorge Glass, was also part of that circle.
Padilla had previously condemned Glass for misconduct, raising concerns about power dynamics within that administration. It’s said that Diaz enjoyed significant trust from Correa, complicating his current position as the allegations unfold.
At the time of the allegations, Diaz was involved with the Intelligence Bureau and had experienced an attack on his home in 2013. He has been described as unpopular among critics of the Correa government, including journalist Fernando Villavicencio, who faced significant pressure for voicing dissenting opinions.
In May, Diaz had also stepped down from his position following accusations of “gender-based political violence” against the Attorney General of Ecuador.
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part of the ongoing investigation, authorities searched Diaz’s residence in Quito, collecting documents and electronic devices. A spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that while Diaz was not arrested, he was asked to present his account of events.
The Citizen Revolutionary Party responded to the accusations by expelling Diaz and issuing a strong denial and condemnation of the allegations.
This investigation coincides with Diaz’s recent proposals to amend Ecuador’s criminal laws to lower the age of consent from 18 to 14—a contentious point, given the current laws around minors and sexual offenses. Reports suggest that Diaz argued that minors over 14 should be able to consent, which raises significant ethical concerns.
The proposal has garnered support but has yet to be reviewed by Congress. Meanwhile, lawmakers from the National Democratic Action party have urged the prosecutor’s office to prevent Diaz from fleeing the country, drawing parallels to Correa’s own escape from justice.
Concerns about Diaz’s whereabouts have been voiced, with claims that he is untraceable after his party’s demands for unpaid leave. Some members of the Civic Revolutionary party profess they lack information about his current location.
