In October 2016 the embassy cut his internet service after WikiLeaks published
a trove of damaging emails from then U.S. presidential candidate Hillary
Clinton’s campaign. Ecuador’s leftist government said the move violated its
traditional respect for other nations’ sovereignty.
Shortly after taking office, Moreno dismissed Assange as a “hacker” and said
hacking is an activity “I personally reject.”
Assange responded by saying that Moreno had slandered him as a hacker.
Apr. 2017. Ecuador's President-elect Lenin Moreno warned Julian Assange not to
meddle in the country's politics
NEWS story from MAY 10 - 2017. New President Lenin Moreno.
"We will maintain his [Assange's] political refugee status, but always
reminding him that such condition does not allow him to engage in politics,
neither in our country, nor in neighboring nations..."
NEWS story from May 26, 2017 - Moreno -- speaking at a ceremony at Cochasqui
archeological site in the northern Andes Thursday -- "respectfully" asked the
Australian "not to interfere in Ecuadorian politics, nor in the politics of its
allies."
"His status does not allow him to talk about the politics of any country, let
alone ours," he said.
NEWS story from Sept. 30, 2017. Moreno has told two international television
networks in the past week that Assange should watch his tongue and not harm
Ecuador’s relations with its allies.
NEWS story from Nov. 22, 2017. Ecuador Govt statement. Assange has an
“...obligation to not make declarations or carry out activities that could
affect Ecuador’s international relations, which should be preserved, as in the
case of Spain, a country it is united with by historical and cultural ties, as
well as links of mutual respect, friendship between its peoples and bilateral
cooperation...”
Nov 22 - 2017. Its being reported today that Assange “has formally committed to
observe behavior that is compatible with the will of the Ecuadorian state.”
NEWS story dated Dec 17, 2017. Ecuador has warned WikiLeaks founder Julian
Assange not to interfere in Catalonia's separatist crisis, Ecuadorian President
Lenin Moreno said in an interview published Sunday. "We have reminded Mr
Assange that he has no reason to interfere in Ecuadorian politics because his
status does not allow it. Nor in that of nations that are our friends. He does
not have the right to do so and he has committed himself to this."
