Ecuadorian officials' asset declarations reveal large wealth increases

A review of property and wealth disclosures for local authorities in Ecuador’s northern province of Carchi shows several officials dramatically increased their declared net worth between 2023 and 2025. Mayor Arnaldo Cuacés Quelal of Espejo saw his assets rise from US$179,980 to US$511,023, a 184 % jump, largely due to updated cadastral valuations and a new property bought in 2024. Mayors Livardo Benalcázar (Bolívar) and Andrés Ruano (Tulcán) reported increases of 58 % and 191 % respectively, while liabilities fell sharply for some. The investigation, led by Spondylus Info Lab with support from the Pulitzer Center, examined 79 officials whose wealth grew in the same period.

In the central highlands, Cotopaxi prefect Lourdes Tibán also reported a rise in declared assets from about US$600,000 to roughly US$950,000 between 2023 and 2025. She attributed the growth to inheritances received after her husband’s death and to family holdings, stating, “Sí me molesta. No es solo Lourdes Tibán: es mi familia, mis hijos, mis hermanos, mi madre, el movimiento indígena y Pachakutik como partido.” Tibán denied any irregularities. Both reports highlight a broader pattern of significant asset growth among Ecuadorian regional officials.

The disclosures have sparked public and media scrutiny over the sources of the increases and the adequacy of oversight mechanisms.