Reply #7: Sounds like a Bushwhack appointee who was given instructions to be an asshole,

[Peace Patriot]

in order to make it ever harder for Obama to make peace in South America.

What a stupid thing for him to do--try to appoint the head of an Ecuadoran agency! Diplomats make mistakes like that on purpose, rarely by inadvertence or thoughtlessness. They are trained not to make mistakes like that (--although Bushwhacks are such a crude lot, who knows?).

I could be wrong. Astorga could be a Clinton asshole--but I don't think she's had time to make diplomatic appointments. At least, if it was Clinton, we could be sure it wasn't inadvertent. (She's not stupid.)

Why do you suppose the U.S. wants their boy (or gal) controlling illicit trade in Ecuador? (--if Astorga really expected to succeed with this ploy). Interesting question.

One final thought: Correa had trouble with CIA plants in Ecuador's military, which emerged during the U.S./Colombia bombing/raid on Ecuador's territory last year (which almost started a war). I remember reading there was an investigation and CIA moles were ferreted out and removed from military service. Correa has these and other reasons to be extremely wary of the U.S. Enter Astorga--trying to push an Ecuadoran agency around and appoint its head. Deliberate provocation? Sure seems so.