State Department Denies Frontliner: False allegations, Escobar has not been dismissed, to take new post in coming weeks

„Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar has not been dismissed from his position. All career Foreign Service officers rotate assignments every one to four years as a matter of regular practice,“ the USA State Department said in response to KoSSev’s inquiries regarding an article published yesterday by the Frontliner on Escobar’s alleged dismissal.

Yesterday, the British media published an article entitled „Diplomatic Dismissal: The fall of US envoy Gabriel Escobar following investigative journalism„.

Citing an unofficial confirmation, Frontliner wrote that Escobar was reportedly removed from the post after their „thorough investigative work,“ which uncovered „possible conflicts of interest“ and „called into question his diplomatic integrity.“

This media further writes that there are alleged „financial connections between Escobar’s family and Serbian governmental bodies“, and that because of this „his neutrality in the sensitive dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is compromised“.

They point out that the alleged confirmation of Escobar’s removal came from a source in the US Congress shortly after Frontliner editor-in-chief Vudi Xhymshiti appeared on a television show discussing the vital role of the media in a democracy and the obstacles journalists face when they challenge influential figures.

„False allegations“

„The allegations made by Vudi Xhymshiti are verifiably false. Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar has not been dismissed from his position,“ the State Department said in a statement.

They added that as a career Foreign Service officer, Escobar has served in his current role for three years, and is „due for a long-planned transition to his next assignment in coming weeks.“ They did not specify what post Escobar will now hold.

Until the „scheduled transition, Escobar shall remain in his role as the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy in the office of European and Eurasian Affairs as well as Special Envoy for Western Balkan Affairs, they added.

The State Department also addresses Vudi Xhymshiti other statements regarding Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar that are „also verifiably false.“

„Despite Mr. Xhymshiti’s representations to the contrary, Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar’s wife has never received funds from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia.“

Moreover, they stressed that Escobar does not have any familial relation with the purported partner at Texas law firm McGinnis Lochridge LLP.

„It is irresponsible to publish such falsehoods. We encourage any journalist to check the facts before spreading offensive and unfounded rumors.“

„As a general matter, we know that disinformation poses an extraordinary threat to democratic societies. It poisons social discourse, exacerbates divisions, and represents a national security threat to the United States and our allies and partners.“

The United States strongly supports the EU-facilitated Dialogue as the path to achieve a peaceful and productive relationship between Kosovo and Serbia.

„We are fully aligned with our European partners and will continue to play an active role in support of the Dialogue.“