Ecuador Frees Survivor in U.S. Submersible Strike Case Amid Evidence Gaps

The **Trump administration** refers to the executive branch of the U.S. federal government during Donald J. Trump’s presidency, initially from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, and resuming with his second term starting in 2025. It was characterized by a mix of aggressive domestic policies, significant judicial appointments, and a distinct foreign policy approach that emphasized "America First" principles[4][8]. The administration’s key activities included **tax reform**, notably passing the $3.2 trillion Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which represented the largest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in decades[5]. Trump also renegotiated trade agreements with major economies including Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea, prioritizing bilateral deals over multilateral ones such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which the administration withdrew from early on[1][2]. The administration sought to protect American jobs by restricting cheap foreign labor and influencing agencies like the Tennessee Valley Authority to retain American workers[5]. On the judicial front, the Trump administration appointed over 200 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—shaping the judiciary for years to come[4]. These appointments were among the most significant achievements, influencing U.S. law on multiple fronts. In foreign policy, the administration pursued a controversial agenda: it imposed travel bans on several predominantly Muslim countries, withdrew U.S. troops from northern Syria, and supported Saudi Arabia militarily despite congressional opposition related to the Yemen conflict[1][3]. It also fostered new international technology alliances, such as securing commitments from allies to exclude Chinese telecom giant Huawei from 5G infrastructure and signing AI cooperation agreements with the UK[5]. The Trump administration faced substantial political turmoil, including two impeachments by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 over Ukraine dealings, and again in 2021 following the January

The Ecuadorian prosecutors, formally part of the *Fiscalía General del Estado* (State Attorney General’s Office), serve as the principal criminal investigative authority in Ecuador. They conduct pre-procedural and criminal investigations, manage forensic science operations, and decide on indictments in criminal cases. Prosecutors can initiate investigations either upon citizen complaints or on their own initiative (*ex officio*). Their role includes requesting judicial measures such as arrests during investigations, with strict procedural safeguards to protect individual rights[1][2]. Historically, Ecuador’s prosecutorial system functions within a broader judicial framework regulated by the Judicial Council (*Consejo de la Judicatura*), which oversees judiciary administration and discipline. The prosecutorial office operates independently with a mandate to uphold justice and combat crime, including complex cases such as drug trafficking and corruption. However, Ecuador’s justice system has faced significant challenges, including delays in investigations and low conviction rates in narcotrafficking cases—only about 15% of investigations led to convictions between 2019 and 2022, often through plea bargains with reduced sentences[3]. Under current leadership, notably Attorney General Diana Salazar since 2019, the prosecutors have undertaken high-profile anti-corruption and organized crime investigations, such as the landmark “Metástasis” and “Purga” operations. These probes have exposed deep infiltration of criminal organizations into political and judicial institutions, resulting in arrests of judges, politicians, and officials. Despite threats to her safety, Salazar’s tenure has been marked by a hands-on approach and a push for judicial integrity and accountability[4]. To strengthen prosecutorial effectiveness, Ecuador has invested in improving judicial infrastructure, adopting advanced technology, and enhancing professional training for prosecutors and judges. These reforms aim to accelerate case processing, increase transparency, and improve public trust in the justice system amid ongoing security challenges linked to organized crime and corruption[5][6][7]. Notable aspects of Ecuadorian prosecutors include their central role in combating entrenche