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Ecuador Mayor Aquiles Álvarez – Ongoing Trials

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-27 05:24 UTC → 2026-07-29 21:08 UTC · added removed

Ecuador Mayor Aquiles Álvarez case – Triple A trial proceeds Ongoing Trials

In mid‑July 2026 Ecuador’s National Court of Justice denied a habeas‑corpus appeal for Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Álvarez, keeping him in preventive detention at Encuentro Prison while three investigations remained open: the “Triple A” corruption probe, the “Goleada” case, and a dispute over his electronic monitoring electronic‑monitoring device. The “Triple A” trial opened at Quito’s Northern Judicial Complex, where a protected witness testified remotely about a scheme diverting subsidised fuel to the black market. The judge barred press, and Álvarez participated by teleconference after a transfer request was rejected. By 24 July the evidentiary phase concluded, with prosecutors charging 22 defendants – including Álvarez, relatives and companies such as Fuelcorp S.A. – for an alleged loss of USD 61.5 million. Defense counsel submitted further testimonies and documents, and the court declined a request for prosecutor Carlos Alarcón to testify after whistle‑blower Nicole Bermúdez failed to appear. On 26 July Álvarez gave a more‑than‑two‑hour teleconference testimony, testimony on 26 July, arguing the case lacked technical merit and merit, was politically motivated, claiming and that the “Triple A” label derived from his own initials. He denied personal involvement in fuel trafficking, described his firms as legitimate transport intermediaries, trafficking and contested challenged forensic reports as inconclusive. The court will now was set to deliberate before issuing a first‑instance judgment. On 29 July a separate four‑day “Grillete” trial began before the Tribunal de Garantías Penales in Durán, focusing on alleged non‑compliance with an electronic‑monitoring order tied to the earlier investigations. Álvarez again appeared via videoconference from Encuentro Prison. Prosecutors presented surveillance footage, forensic reports and witness testimony; the defence claimed the monitoring device malfunctioned and that no intentional breach occurred. A ruling on criminal responsibility is pending. Despite these proceedings, a council vote has so far rejected his removal as mayor.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-29 21:08 UTC Ecuador Mayor Aquiles Álvarez – Ongoing Trials
  2. 2026-07-27 05:24 UTC Ecuador Mayor Aquiles Álvarez case – Triple A trial proceeds
  3. 2026-07-26 22:51 UTC Ecuador Mayor Aquiles Alvarez case – Triple A trial closes
  4. 2026-07-25 22:50 UTC Ecuador Mayor Aquiles Alvarez case

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