The Diplomat
The President of the Republic of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa Azín, has awarded the National Order of Merit, Grand Cross, to his country’s ambassador to Spain, Wilma Andrade, in recognition of her diplomatic work.
According to a press release from the Ecuadorian Embassy, the ceremony took place this Monday at the Carondelet Palace (the seat of government and the official residence of the president) “in recognition of a career spanning more than three decades dedicated to public service and diplomatic work committed to the migrant community.”
The Executive Decree granting the distinction highlights Andrade’s contribution “to strengthening bilateral relations, promoting investment and cooperation in various sectors, as well as creating educational opportunities for the Ecuadorian community and promoting the country’s cultural presence.”
“The ambassador has represented the highest national interests and has been a fundamental bridge between both nations, both diplomatically and economically,” Noboa declared during the ceremony. “She has been able to promptly address the needs of our migrant brothers and sisters, promoting their inclusion and defending their rights,” he added.
For her part, Wilma Andrade expressed her gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to public administration that is close to the people. “I renew my firm commitment to continue working tirelessly with responsibility, with loyalty to the principles and vision of the country that you—President Noboa—represent today: a generation of hope, a new way of doing politics, with efficiency, with courage, with purpose, and with true love for Ecuador,” she stated.
She also detailed the lines of work promoted by the diplomatic mission, which he has led since January 22, 2024: more than 10,000 scholarships managed in the educational field, an active cultural agenda that has made migrants a center of attention, labor agreements that open up new opportunities, and an institutional presence throughout Spain.
“The award recognizes a committed effort to support Ecuadorian migrants in Spain and reflects the National Government’s commitment to a foreign policy that prioritizes the care, protection, and creation of opportunities for the community abroad,” the Embassy concluded.
