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| Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Gabriela speaking at the United Nations about Albanian Mafia |
Albania rejects claims that Ecuador’s foreign minister named the Albanian mafia at the UN, calling reports fake and harmful to its reputation.
In recent days, reports circulated in international and regional media suggesting that Ecuador’s Foreign Minister, Gabriela Sommerfeld, had explicitly mentioned the “Albanian mafia” during her speech at the United Nations General Assembly. According to some outlets, Sommerfeld allegedly placed Albanian criminal groups alongside Mexico’s powerful cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación, in her call for global reforms against organized crime.
However, Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs issued a firm rebuttal, stating that these claims are entirely false and amount to misinformation that damages the country’s reputation abroad.
The Controversy: Did Ecuador Mention Albania?
The controversy began when several online portals and foreign media reports claimed that Sommerfeld’s intervention at the UN named the Albanian mafia as part of international organized criminal networks threatening global peace and security. Some of these reports, citing outlets like fmmundo, went further, asserting that Ecuador classified Albanian criminal groups alongside Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations under its domestic security framework.
Sommerfeld’s actual remarks at the UN focused on the need to expand the definition of peace and security to include organized crime, which she described as a transnational threat equivalent to armed conflicts in its social, political, and economic impact. She warned that organized criminal groups move thousands of tons of drugs, exploit illegal mining, and traffic weapons, people, and even human organs.
Her speech also underlined Ecuador’s declaration of a “non-international armed conflict” in 2024, aimed at combating unprecedented levels of violence linked to narcotrafficking. This allowed Ecuador to classify certain gangs and cartels as terrorist organizations, thereby escalating its legal and security framework.
Yet, according to Albania’s foreign ministry, nowhere in Sommerfeld’s official address was Albania or Albanians specifically mentioned.
Albania’s Official Response
In a strongly worded statement, Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs described the claims of a reference to the Albanian mafia as “entirely fabricated” and “without any truth.” The ministry emphasized that Sommerfeld’s full speech is publicly accessible on the official website of the United Nations and contains no mention of Albania or Albanian nationals.
“Some online media have irresponsibly circulated misinformation suggesting that Albania or Albanians were referenced in Ecuador’s national statement at the UN General Assembly,” the ministry said. “This is completely untrue and fabricated. Albania and Albanians were not mentioned in this speech, which is accessible to anyone who wishes to read it. Attempting to misuse such high-level international forums by inventing facts is an effort to undermine the dignity, reputation, and image that Albania has successfully built on the international stage.”
The ministry’s reaction reflects not only a defense of Albania’s reputation but also a concern about how misinformation can quickly spread and damage international credibility.
The Broader Context: Albanian Criminal Groups Abroad
While Albanian authorities have rejected claims that their country was named at the UN, it is true that Albanian criminal networks have often been linked in international reports to drug trafficking operations, particularly in Europe and Latin America. Law enforcement agencies in Italy, Spain, and the UK have frequently highlighted the role of Albanian groups in cocaine distribution networks.
In Latin America, particularly in Colombia and Ecuador, investigative reports have suggested that Albanian traffickers collaborate with local cartels to manage shipments of cocaine destined for European markets. These links have fueled international headlines and have occasionally led to Albania being unfairly portrayed as synonymous with organized crime.
However, Albania has consistently worked with European and global partners to combat narcotrafficking and money laundering. The government has stressed that associating an entire nation with criminal elements is harmful and unjust.
Media Responsibility and International Image
The incident highlights the dangers of misreporting in the digital age. A single claim, once repeated by multiple outlets, can take on the appearance of credibility and inflict reputational harm on states. Albania’s response underscores the importance of verifying official transcripts and reliable sources, particularly when dealing with sensitive issues like organized crime and terrorism at the UN.
For Albania, protecting its international image is vital, especially as it advances its European Union integration agenda. Officials in Tirana argue that spreading false claims about mentions at the UN undermines years of effort to present Albania as a constructive international partner committed to regional stability and global cooperation.
Conclusion: A Clash Between Perception and Reality
The debate over whether Ecuador’s foreign minister mentioned the Albanian mafia at the UN illustrates the complex intersection of crime, politics, and international image. While organized crime is undoubtedly a transnational challenge requiring cooperation, falsely attributing statements to world leaders risks damaging bilateral relations and unjustly stigmatizing nations.
Albania’s firm denial serves as a reminder that misinformation can spread quickly and that careful scrutiny of official records is essential. As both Ecuador and Albania continue their respective fights against organized crime, accuracy in reporting will remain critical to ensuring that public debate is based on facts rather than speculation.