Reports indicate President Moreno of Ecuador, sitting at his desk, snapped his pencil on hearing of a new asylum seeker at an Ecuador embassy.
He is rumored to have said: "At least she’s rich.”
This time it’s Meng Wanzhou, 46, CFO of Chinese telecom company Huawei on the run to the Ecuador embassy in Vancouver to prevent being extradited to the US.
She has run afoul of the five eyes' (US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK) efforts to restrain Huawei as a global power in the telecom business.
Ms. Wanzhou was arrested and held 10 days on accusations of hiding business relations with another company that has been doing business with Iran.
Selling to Iran violates sanctions on Iran imposed by Mr. Trump.
Charges of fraud could lead to a sentence of 30 years. She has claimed innocence.
Additionally, Australia and others have suggested Huawei might be including spyware in its technology.
However, evidence for this spying ability in Huawei technology is lacking, leading to a “better safe than sorry” attitude about pressuring Huawei to behave itself.
The controversy includes charges of US bullying and being overly-aggressive because Huawei is advancing cell-phone technology beyond the capacity of Apple.
Inspired by Ecuador’s giving shelter to Julian Assange Ms. Wanzhou took to her heels and sought the Ecuador embassy.
Rumors indicate a note found at her mansion in Vancouver reads: “Maybe I can call Julian and get his advice? But first—to the Embassy and safety!”
President Moreno of Ecuador then put out a news bulletin on this matter:
“Our embassies are not hotels! No more asylum-seekers!”
Then another message:
"Please understand we have to play along with these big countries pressuring us! It's only business as usual!”
This notice was then removed with apologies from Mr. Moreno.
His next message clarified his “real intent” he said, when he had mis-spoken in a heat of distress, including snapping his pencil.
“All right, it's probably all politics and economic warfare but dammit, try someplace else!”
This note, also, was removed. His final word:
“With deep apologies Ecuador cannot accept any further asylum seekers who are running from the law (or whatever)."
"Try the Venezuela Embassy!”