Ecuador CEIFO Founded by President Corrêa — 44 Military Pilots Interviewed (April 2005)
In April 2005, Ecuadorian President Rafael Corrêa authorised the creation of the Comisión Ecuatoriana para la Investigación del Fenómeno OVNI (CEIFO) — the Ecuadorian Commission for Investigation of the UFO Phenomenon — to officially study UFO incidents. The commission comprised six civilians and six military personnel. By the time of reporting, the body had interviewed 44 military pilots about their sightings and in March 2008 began publishing these accounts via UFO researcher Jaime Rodríguez on YouTube.
According to Rodríguez, establishing the commission required the dismissal of several senior military officers by President Corrêa, as those officers had reportedly received funds from the United States to keep information classified. An original plan to also release government documents was made but the project was subsequently halted, with the publication of official files apparently stopped.
Background
In April 2005, Ecuador established CEIFO (Comisión Ecuatoriana para la Investigación del Fenómeno OVNI) by presidential directive under President Rafael Correa. The commission was created following interviews with 44 Ecuadorian military pilots who reported encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena.
Background CEIFO was founded after interviews with 44 military pilots who reported UAP encounters during their service.
This reflects the Ecuadorian government's recognition of the phenomenon's significance.
Establishment President Rafael Correa issued a presidential directive in April 2005 to create CEIFO.
It is one of the few UFO investigation bodies worldwide established by direct presidential order.
Purpose CEIFO investigates UAP reports from both military and civilian sources across Ecuador.
The commission addresses reports of unidentified aerial phenomena.