Ecuador Considers Snowden's Asylum Request

07:29

June 24, 2013

This photo provided by The Guardian Newspaper in London shows Edward Snowden, who worked as a contract employee at the National Security Agency, on Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Hong Kong. (The Guardian/AP)

Where in the world is Edward Snowden?

The former National Security Agency contractor who leaked information about the NSA's extensive phone and internet surveillance fled Hong Kong for Russia yesterday.

Russian news reported Snowden was there, and planned to fly to Latin America via Cuba. But Snowden failed to board the flight to Cuba on Monday.

Snowden has requested asylum from Ecuador. The foreign minister of Ecuador, Ricardo Patino Aroca, said the country is considering the request, and confirmed that Ecuador had been in contact with Russia regarding Snowden’s status.

The United States is seeking to extradite Snowden and prosecute him on espionage charges.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who is himself avoiding prosecution by living in Ecuador's embassy in London, is expected to comment later this morning on his group's involvement in Snowden's search for asylum.

Guest:

Edward Lucas, international editor for the Economist magazine. He tweets @edwardlucas.

This segment aired on June 24, 2013.