María Augusta Calle Andrade is an Ecuadorian journalist and politician who has served as a member of the National Assembly of Ecuador. Associated with the PAIS Alliance (Alianza PAIS) political movement, she was a significant figure in the legislative body during the presidency of Rafael Correa.
Political Career Calle began her formal political career as a representative in the 2007 Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting Ecuador's current constitution. Following the implementation of the new constitution, she was elected to the National Assembly. During her tenure, she held several high-profile positions, most notably serving as the President of the Commission on Sovereignty, Integration, International Relations, and Integral Security. Her legislative work focused primarily on issues of national defense, human rights, and regional integration within Latin America.
Journalism and Advocacy Prior to her career in public office, Calle was a career journalist. She worked with several media outlets and was involved with the Latin American news network TeleSUR. Her background in communication often informed her political platform, which emphasized media reform and the democratization of information. She has also been recognized for her activism regarding social justice and sovereignty.
Public Life and Scrutiny In 2008, following the Angostura raid—a military operation by Colombian forces against a FARC camp located within Ecuadorian territory—Calle faced scrutiny from various political actors and international intelligence reports. Some allegations suggested links to the insurgent group; however, Calle consistently denied these claims, asserting that her interactions were strictly within the bounds of her journalistic and humanitarian work. No legal charges or formal evidence substantiated the allegations within the Ecuadorian judicial system.
Throughout her career, María Augusta Calle remained a firm supporter of the "Citizens' Revolution" (Revolución Ciudadana) and has been a vocal critic of foreign military presence in Latin America. After leaving the National Assembly, she has continued to participate in political discourse and regional diplomatic initiatives.
