(JTA) — Ecuador has recognized a Palestinian state, the fifth Latin American country to do so in recent weeks.
Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa on Dec. 24 signed a resolution recognizing "the Palestine State as free and independent within its 1967 borders." The resolution was sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian representative to the United Nations, according to reports.
"Sadly, the Middle East continues to face wars and violent events that have led to the death of many innocent people, a situation contrary to the humane and pacifist position established by the Ecuadorian Constitution," noted a statement issued by Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry. "This recognition is meant to reinforce the valid and legitimate wish of the Palestine people to have their own free and independent state."
Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay all made similar declarations this month.
