I feel like this is a conspiracy theory type territory where before Ecuador was a brave independent nation, but the moment they do something someone doesn't like they're a puppet, not a single entity, and every event possible is pointed to be part of the conspiracy theory, even handling of personal items....

Look it up, with the last president, Correa, Ecuador was significantly backing away from the West and being more friendly with China and Russia, but this new president is pro-West. A month after they trade Assange, somehow Ecuador secures a 6 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, while previously no one bat an eye. The current regime is definitely a puppet government

Are you saying Ecuador was a puppet of China and Russia?

Look at my comment again. I said "more friendly with Russia and China". That does not imply that I said that Ecuador was previously a puppet of China and Russia, simply that it was more friendly with them than they were the West.

I'm pointing out how easily it is to say "they're a puppet of" when a nation is close to a given nation and does something you don't like.

I'll agree reading between the lines and conspiracy theories are related; you shouldn't necessarily believe everything you're told. The difference is, I'm willing to change my mind to the simplest explanation with some evidence (conspiracy theories don't usually do that).

But also, a reminder: Conspiracy theories have gotten a terrible name recently via all the batshit insane ones. Some of them turned out to be true.

>where before Ecuador was a brave independent nation, but the moment they do something someone doesn't like they're a puppet

It's also the previous president who gave assange asylum saying this: https://twitter.com/mashirafael/status/1116386840502775809