Ecuador's Electoral Court Advances Case Against Pachakutik Over 2024 Referendum Funding
Ecuador's Tribunal Contencioso Electoral (TCE) has admitted a complaint filed by the Council National Electoral (CNE) president José Ricardo Cabrera against Pachakutik's national coordinator Guillermo Churuchumbi and the movement's financial manager Carlos Gabriel Sánchez. The complaint alleges irregularities in the handling of campaign funds for the 2024 Referendum and Popular Consultation.
Judge Ángel Torres has scheduled a single oral hearing for 19 August 2026 in Quito. The accused have five days to submit their response and any supporting evidence. If they fail to appear, the hearing will proceed in absentia. Should the allegations be proven, sanctions could include fines ranging from 20 to 70 basic salaries, suspension of political rights for two to four years, and even the cancellation of Pachakutik's registration, jeopardizing its participation in the sectional elections slated for 29 November 2026.
Entities: Carlos Gabriel Sánchez · Guillermo Churuchumbi · José Ricardo Cabrera · Pachakutik · Tribunal Contencioso Electoral
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Potential sanctions include fines of 20 to 70 basic salaries and suspension of political rights for two to four years, possibly cancellation of Pachakutik's registration. (supported by a0852f51-f587-4f03-9277-78c65dc7231f, eaa30172-b8cc-4d0e-97ee-2d5b8a901fb8, ce949b79-a862-4c78-a127-c276986)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The case could affect Pachakutik's participation in the sectional elections scheduled for 29 November 2026. (supported by ce949b79-a862-4c78-a127-c276986)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Tribunal Contencioso Electoral admitted a complaint filed by CNE president José Ricardo Cabrera against Pachakutik leaders Guillermo Churuchumbi and Carlos Gabriel Sánchez. (supported by a0852f51-f587-4f03-9277-78c65dc7231f, eaa30172-b8cc-4d0e-97ee-2d5b8a901fb8, ce949b79-a862-4c78-a127-c276986)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The accused have five days to respond to the complaint and present evidence. (supported by eaa30172-b8cc-4d0e-97ee-2d5b8a901fb8, ce949b79-a862-4c78-a127-c276986)
- [● 2 SOURCES] If the accused do not appear, the hearing will proceed in rebeldía (in absentia). (supported by a0852f51-f587-4f03-9277-78c65dc7231f, ce949b79-a862-4c78-a127-c276986)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Judge Ángel Torres scheduled a single oral hearing for 19 August 2026 in Quito. (supported by a0852f51-f587-4f03-9277-78c65dc7231f, eaa30172-b8cc-4d0e-97ee-2d5b8a901fb8, ce949b79-a862-4c78-a127-c276986)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The alleged infraction concerns the handling of campaign finances for the 2024 Referendum and Popular Consultation. (supported by a0852f51-f587-4f03-9277-78c65dc7231f, eaa30172-b8cc-4d0e-97ee-2d5b8a901fb8, ce949b79-a862-4c78-a127-c276986)