Ecuador President Noboa accuses opposition of drug ties

Daniel Noboa Rafael Correa Ecuador politics organized crime drug trafficking

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has accused political opposition leaders, specifically those linked to the movement led by former President Rafael Correa, of maintaining direct ties to organized crime and drug trafficking.

In recent interviews, Noboa claimed that money from drug trafficking and criminal organizations has been used to finance political campaigns, including the 2023 elections. He specifically alleged links between the opposition and criminal gangs such as Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as well as connections to the drug trafficker known as ‘Loco Ovidio’.

These allegations follow the preventive detention of opposition leader Luisa González in connection with the ‘Caso Laberinto’, an investigation into alleged money laundering during the 2023 elections. While Noboa stated that criminal links have been observed across three different political parties, he did not present formal evidence during his statements.

In response, the Revolución Ciudadana movement has rejected the claims, labeling them as ‘false positives’ manufactured by the administration for electoral purposes ahead of upcoming local elections. Rafael Correa, speaking from Belgium, has dismissed the accusations as political persecution.

Entities

Daniel Noboa · Ecuador · Los Lobos · Luisa González · Rafael Correa · Revolución Ciudadana

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Revolución Ciudadana movement rejected the accusations as political fabrication. www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 3 SOURCES] Noboa claimed money from drug trafficking was used to finance recent political campaigns. es.euronews.com · www.larepublica.ec · www.prensa-latina.cu
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rafael Correa denied the allegations from Belgium. www.larepublica.ec
[● 2 SOURCES] Noboa stated that criminal links have been found in three different political parties. es.euronews.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 3 SOURCES] President Daniel Noboa accused the opposition of having links to drug trafficking. es.euronews.com · www.larepublica.ec · www.prensa-latina.cu
[○ 1 SOURCE] The criminal leader ‘Loco Ovidio’ is reportedly located in Colombia. www.larepublica.ec
[● 3 SOURCES] Noboa alleged Rafael Correa has direct links to criminal organizations like Los Lobos and Los Choneros. es.euronews.com · www.larepublica.ec · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 3 SOURCES] Luisa González was ordered into preventive detention regarding the ‘Caso Laberinto’ investigation. es.euronews.com · www.larepublica.ec · www.prensa-latina.cu