# Ecuador campaign finance investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ecuador-campaign-finance-investigation
> Updated: 2026-10-24T19:42:02.000Z. Sources: 151. Developments: 3.

Ecuadorian authorities have detained former presidential candidate Luisa González in the Manabí province as part of an investigation known as ‘Caso Laberinto’. The Prosecutor’s Office is examining alleged money laundering and irregularities concerning the financing and advertising expenditures of her 2023 presidential campaign. Investigators are looking into approximately $500,000 to $725,000 in undeclared funds that may have been channeled through shell companies. Some allegations suggest these resources could be linked to illegal hydrocarbon commercialization or transfers from Venezuela. This follows a previous inquiry, ‘Caso Caja Chica’, which investigated potential cash inflows from Venezuela to fund the González-Arauz campaign. Authorities are also investigating potential links to companies associated with Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Alvarez. Judge Henry Navarrete Vélez has ordered preventive detention for González, former assemblyman Santiago Díaz, and Wendy Onofre. Estefanía Molina, a campaign assistant, received alternative measures including an electronic bracelet, a travel ban, and requirements to report periodically to authorities due to family caregiving responsibilities. Following her arrest on October 22, 2026, González was transferred via military and police escort to the Riobamba prison in Chimborazo province. Members of the Revolución Ciudadana movement, including prominent figure Ricardo Patiño, have reported being unable to establish contact with her since her transfer. Her legal team has characterized the proceedings as a ‘state hunt’ and a form of selective political prosecution intended to neutralize her electoral influence. The detentions have intensified political tensions. The Revolución Ciudadana party and international groups, such as Colombia’s Pacto Histórico, the International Democratic Federation of Women, the Grupo de Puebla, and former Colombian presidents Gustavo Petro and Ernesto Samper, have characterized the investigation as ‘political persecution’ or ‘lawfare’ by President Daniel Noboa’s administration. Conversely, President Noboa has accused former Colombian President Gustavo Petro of having links to the money laundering structures under investigation.

## Claims

- The investigation targets alleged money laundering in the 2023 presidential campaign. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- Judge Henry Navarrete ordered preventive detention for Luisa González. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- Estefanía Molina received alternative measures including an electronic bracelet and travel ban. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Santiago Díaz and Wendy Onofre were ordered into preventive detention. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Prosecutors allege USD 500,000 in undeclared funds were used for electoral advertising. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Four inmates died at Cotopaxi No. 1 prison and four died at El Inca prison. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The investigation is titled 'Caso Laberinto'. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- González was detained in the Canuto parish of Manabí province. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Ten inmates were injured during the prison disturbances. (corroborated by 7 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Luisa González detained in Ecuador over alleged campaign money laundering

Former Ecuadorian presidential candidate Luisa González is in preventive detention facing money laundering charges related to her 2023 campaign, sparking allegations of political persecution.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luisa-gonzlez-enters-preventive-detention-in-ecuador

### 2026-10-22: Luisa González ordered into pretrial detention in Ecuador

Former Ecuadorian presidential candidate Luisa González has been placed in pretrial detention amid an investigation into alleged money laundering involving 2023 campaign funds.

68 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-interior-minister-links-prison-riots-to-luisa-gonzlez-arrest

### 2026-10-20: Luisa González arrested in Ecuador campaign finance probe

Ecuadorian politician Luisa González was arrested in Manabí as part of the ‘Laberinto’ investigation into alleged illegal financing and money laundering during her 2023 presidential campaign.

98 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mara-corina-machado-calls-for-national-mobilization-in-venezuela

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Cite as: Ecuador campaign finance investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ecuador-campaign-finance-investigation