February, 2025
Defense of Mr. Walter Hipólito Solís Velarezo

On November 21st, 2024, by application of the Ecuadorian Government, the opening an extradition procedure was attempted by requesting Walter Hipolito Solis Velarezo, former Minister of Transportation and Public Work under former President Rafael Correa. Mr. Solis was conducted to the premises of the Fiscalía General de la República (Attorney General of the Republic) located on Mexico City’s International Airport by virtue of a request for apprehension pursuant to an extradition procedure emitted by a District Judge.

Through the intervention of his legal defense team and with collaboration from the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Mr. Solis’ refugee status, recognized by the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance, was proven to the Attorney General’s Office thus proving that he is legally shielded from being forcibly returned in any manner to Ecuador by virtue of his being the target of persecution on the basis of his political opinions and of the undue use of the Ecuadorian justice system in jeopardy of Mr. Solis Velarezo’s human rights.

As a result of the above, the immediate liberation of Mr. Solis Velarezo was granted and the legal force of his right against forcible return to the persecuting State was upheld in safeguard of his human rights to life, integrity, liberty and security.