In a major crackdown on organized crime and corruption, the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office conducted raids and arrests of judges, former judges, judicial officials, practicing lawyers, and police officers in eight provinces of the country on Wednesday. The operation was carried out under the suspicion of illegal enrichment, influence peddling, and abuse of power in various sectors.
The Prosecutor’s Office stated that this action was aimed at eradicating corruption within the justice system. The institution emphasized its commitment to not allow impunity for those involved in these illegal activities. Photos of police and public ministry agents conducting raids and arrests of suspects involved in irregular processes were distributed by the Prosecutor’s Office.
It has not been disclosed how many people were arrested in total or the specific cases that triggered this operation. However, investigations into corruption within the justice system have revealed significant links to drug trafficking, with 52 people currently facing charges. Recent cases of corruption have been uncovered across various governments, including those of former presidents Rafael Correa, Lenín Moreno, and Guillermo Lasso.
Following a series of violent incidents, President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” and labeled organized crime groups as “terrorists.” The country has been militarized, and fears of further attacks by mafia groups have gripped the population. Noboa stressed that Ecuador was in a state of war against drug terrorism, and the government would not yield to these threats.
The raids were carried out under suspicion of organized crime activity in various sectors across eight provinces in Ecuador: El Ora
