Roberto Cuero, an assembly member from the Citizen Revolution party, has been suspended for 30 days without pay for making offensive remarks against fellow assembly member Sergio Peña during an incident.
The Legislative Administration Council (CAL) has suspended assembly member Roberto Cuero, aligned with the Citizen Revolution (RC) party, for a period of 30 days without pay. This decision comes after a serious infraction where Cuero was found to have made offensive and disparaging remarks against Sergio Peña, a former member of the Correa administration who is now an ally of the ruling government. The incident escalated from a conflict involving Cuero and his wife with elements of the Armed Forces, which seems to have contributed to the tensions leading to Cuero's comments.
The CAL determined that Cuero's actions constituted a serious administrative violation under Article 170 of the Organic Law of the Legislative Function (LOFL). This legal framework underscores the expected conduct of legislative members and places accountability on their behavior. Following the suspension, Niels Olsen, the President of the National Assembly, commented on social media affirming the importance of responsibility for assembly members both within and outside of legislative duties, highlighting that their actions can set precedents for the institution.
The suspension not only reflects disciplinary action within the legislative assembly but also raises questions regarding the conduct expected from politicians in Ecuador. As tensions rise within the government and among various factions, such incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining decorum and respect among members of the assembly. This case could potentially influence future actions taken against assembly members in similar situations, thereby impacting how political disputes are navigated in the legislative arena.
