Ecuador protests inclusion on FATF blacklist
It was discussed that FATF blacklisted 8 countries for for alleged money laundering and terrorism. The list included Ecuador, Iran, Pakistan, Angola, Ethiopia, North Korea, Turkmenistan, and Sao Tome and Principe.
In a news conference, Ecuador protested its inclusion on this blacklist. The country does not think of itself as failing to comply with standards against money-laundering and terrorism financing.
Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said: “We completely reject this perverse insinuation”. He noted that the country had received international praise for measures to regulate its financial system. He also added that rich countries who are judging poorer jurisdictions on their record should first of all put their own house in order. He said: “We honestly do not think the nations of the North have the moral authority to put us on that list. Let’s see in the future who should be on that list”