Ecuador arrests six mayors amid widespread corruption probe

Six sitting mayors in Ecuador have been placed under investigation and, in several cases, detained as part of a nationwide anti‑corruption operation. Interior Minister John Reimberg said the actions aim to restore transparency in local government.

The mayors include Aquiles Alvarez of Guayaquil (accused of organized crime and money‑laundering in the “Caso Goleada”), Vicko Villacís of Esmeraldas (pre‑trial detention for alleged money‑laundering in the “Caso Blindaje”), Ángela Plúa of Jipijapa (charged with organized‑crime involvement in “Operación Digitador”), Darío Macas of Machala (investigated for suspected illicit enrichment), José Arroyo of Pujilí (arrested for peculation in the “Caso Ornato Municipal”), and René Castillo of El Tambo (detained on peculation accusations). The operations have halted municipal administrations, pausing public contracts and delaying local projects across the affected cantons.