Ecuador pushes extradition of Karla Saud in $100 million Progen scandal

Karla Saud Calero, a dual Ecuadorian‑U.S. national and key figure in the Progen case, was detained at Madrid’s Barajas airport on 9 July 2026 and released a few days later under precautionary measures. In a video posted after her release, Saud displayed both passports and told Ecuadorian ministers, “I will defend my honor and my family’s honor in international instances… I will not be a trophy of their government.”

Ecuador’s interior minister John Reimberg said the case remains subject to judicial safeguards and that the National Court of Justice, chaired by Marco Rodríguez, has opened extradition proceedings. Prosecutors allege Saud participated in the misappropriation of contracts worth more than $100 million for electric generators tied to U.S. firm Progen Industries. President Daniel Noboa’s administration is pressing for her return to face charges in Ecuador.