Ecuador: they ask to prosecute former President Moreno for corruption

QUITO (AP) – Ecuador’s attorney general reported Wednesday that former President Lenín Moreno, his wife and daughter, and 33 others were linked to a transnational corruption network, which is why she asked the Court of Justice to hold a hearing on the formulation of the charges brought against him for alleged corruption.

Prosecutor Diana Salazar assured in a message broadcast by official channels and networks that the investigation of more than two years into the Coca Codo Sinclaire hydroelectric project, “reveals a structure of corruption” by which the Chinese company Sinohydro, in charge of construction, delivered some $76 million “in kickbacks (kickbacks)…channeled through third parties” through a “misrepresentation of consulting and representation services”.

Moreno reacted to the prosecutor’s announcement and, in a statement, denied the charges. “I neither have nor had any responsibility in the procurement of works,” the project of which, he pointed out, was in charge of the authorities at the time, he said.

The ex-governor clarified that his only competence when he was vice-president of the Republic was the execution of the Manuela Espejo program relating to social assistance programs for people with disabilities. In addition, he said he was surprised that those who had responsibilities in the contractual stages of the hydroelectric plant, considered the “most emblematic” of the government of Rafael Correa, were excluded from the formulation of the charges, he said. He underlines. He didn’t mention anyone.

Moreno assured that, respectful of the institutionality of the State, he will defend himself “with respect for the truth” to defend his reputation and that of his family.

The illegal actions allegedly took place between 2009 and 2018, when Moreno served as vice president in the government of Rafael Correa. The criminal assistance of countries such as Panama, Belize, Switzerland, the United States, China and Spain has been decisive because “it helps to reliably demonstrate the configuration of the crime and its extent outside the national territory,” Salazar said.

The head of the prosecution has asked the judicial body to set the date and time of the hearing during which he will file a complaint against the former president and his family environment, which includes his two brothers-in-law and sisters, as well as former government officials and two former Chinese ambassadors to Ecuador who at the time legally represented the company. In total, there are 37 related people.

The amount of the alleged bribes represents 4% of the value of the work initially contracted for 1,979 million dollars but which ended in 2,245 million, detailed the prosecutor. The investigation was opened in March 2019.

Moreno reigned between 2017 and 2021 and came to power sponsored by the movement of his predecessor, Correa, after which they became opponents. At the end of his term, he moved to the United States and since 2022 he has been in Paraguay where he leads efforts related to the inclusion of sectors of the population with disabilities.

In October 2022, a group of lawmakers from the Ecuadorian Assembly Control Commission presented a report on the case to the prosecutor’s office, the comptroller’s office and other control entities requesting that criminal proceedings be initiated. against those responsible for negotiation, arbitration and hydroelectricity. construction.

Pedro Velasco, one of the members of the assembly that made up the said delegation, assured the Associated Press that in the investigation carried out by the commission “presumptions” were established that could determine the participation of the former president Moreno and certain other people in events such as “receiving favors from certain relatives” as well as gifts and goods which the prosecution must show.

According to Velasco, the action of the prosecutor’s office leaves a clear message that “there is no authority, no official or functionary above the law and they must answer.” At the same time, he pleaded for impartial justice that speeds up the process so that this case “does not go unpunished”.

The Coca Codo Sinclaire hydroelectric plant began operations in 2016, six years after construction began. It has a capacity of 1,500 megawatts and is located between the Amazon provinces of Napo and Sucumbíos.

During its execution, it presented a series of inconveniences that even led the Electric Corporation of Ecuador in 2021 to file a request for international arbitration for which the construction company Sinohydro assumes the repair of at least 7,000 cracks in his dispensers at his expense. The complaint is pending resolution.