Jorge Glas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jorge Glas
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Glas in 2017
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| 48th Vice President of Ecuador | |
| In office 24 May 2013 – 3 January 2018 |
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| President | Rafael Correa Lenín Moreno |
| Preceded by | Lenín Moreno |
| Succeeded by | María Alejandra Vicuña |
| Coordinating Minister of Strategic Sectors | |
| In office 5 April 2010 – 10 November 2012 |
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| President | Rafael Correa |
| Preceded by | Galo Borja |
| Succeeded by | Rafael Poveda |
| Minister of Telecommunications and Information Society | |
| In office 14 August 2009 – 3 April 2010 |
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| President | Rafael Correa |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Jaime Guerrero |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jorge David Glas Espinel
13 September 1969 Guayaquil, Ecuador |
| Citizenship |
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| Political party | Union for Hope |
| Other political affiliations |
PAIS Alliance |
| Spouse | Cinthia Díaz Aveiga |
| Parents | Jorge Glas Viejó Norma Espinel Aráuz |
| Alma mater | ESPOL |
Jorge David Glas Espinel (born 13 September 1969) is an Ecuadorian politician and an electrical engineer. He served as the Vice President of Ecuador from May 2013 to December 2017. During his time as Vice President, he worked alongside two presidents, Rafael Correa and Lenín Moreno. Later, in April 2024, Glas was arrested during an event at the Mexican embassy in Ecuador, which led to Mexico ending its diplomatic relations with Ecuador.
Early life and education
Jorge Glas was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on 13 September 1969. He has been friends with Rafael Correa, who later became the president of Ecuador, since they were both boy scouts.
Glas earned his degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the ESPOL in 2008. There were some questions raised about his university thesis. An investigation by ESPOL found that he did not plagiarize, but Glas himself admitted he could have done a better job of citing his sources.
Political career
Jorge Glas began his political career in 2007, holding several important roles in the government of President Rafael Correa.
He first served as the general manager of the Solidarity Fund from 2007 to 2009. This fund managed several public companies involved in telecommunications and electricity. He also led the National Telecommunications Council.
Later, Glas became the Minister of Telecommunications. He then moved on to be the Coordinating Minister of Strategic Sectors. In this role, he oversaw the joining of two large telecommunications companies, Andinatel S.A. and Pacifitel S.A., to create the National Corporation of Telecommunications. He was the first chairperson of this new corporation. As Coordinating Minister, he was also in charge of building several important hydroelectric power stations, which help produce electricity for the country.
In the 2013 Ecuadorian general election, Jorge Glas was elected as the Vice President of Ecuador. He officially started his term on 24 May 2013. On 4 August 2017, the new president, Lenín Moreno, suspended Glas from his duties as vice president.
Legal challenges and diplomatic events
On 15 December 2017, Jorge Glas faced legal consequences related to his time in office. Because he could not perform his duties for 90 days, he was removed from his position as Vice President on 2 January 2018. After this, María Alejandra Vicuña was sworn in as the new Vice President.
Glas was released from prison on parole in April 2022 due to health reasons, but this decision was later changed, and he was sent back to prison. In November 2022, he was released again, but he was not allowed to leave Ecuador.
In December 2023, Jorge Glas went to the Mexican embassy in Quito and asked for political asylum. He stated that he believed he was being unfairly targeted for political reasons.
On 5 April 2024, Ecuadorian police entered the Mexican embassy in Quito and arrested Glas. Mexico had granted him asylum just before this event. Following the incident, Mexico ended its diplomatic relations with Ecuador. The next day, Nicaragua also broke ties with Ecuador to show support for Mexico.
On 9 April 2024, prison officials reported that Glas had been taken to a hospital in Guayaquil after not eating for 24 hours. They stated his condition was stable.
In October 2024, the U.S. State Department announced that Jorge Glas would not be allowed to enter the United States due to concerns about corruption.
On 5 January 2025, Jorge Glas was moved from La Roca prison in Guayaquil due to safety concerns.
See also
In Spanish: Jorge Glas para niños
- Ecuador–Mexico relations
