Ecuador’s Luisa Gonzalez arrested amid investigation into 2023 campaign financing

Quito, Ecuador. Luisa Gonzalez, a leading Ecuadorian leftist who finished second to President Daniel Noboa in both of the most recent elections, has been arrested, her party leader said on Thursday. Authorities are investigating alleged irregularities involving campaign expenditure and political funding during the 2023 election.

Prosecutors examine advertising funds

The Attorney General’s Office said in a video shared through social media that investigators were trying to establish where money for electoral advertising had originated. The spending under scrutiny covered the period from May to August 2023.

According to the office, a network of legal entities allegedly routed approximately $500,000 towards contracts and purchases for campaign advertising. It said neither the origin of that money nor the identities of its contributors had been disclosed.

Party leader challenges arrest

Gabriela Rivadeneira, who heads Citizens’ Revolution, announced the arrest through social media and alleged that it had political motives.

Speaking to reporters, she demanded Gonzalez’s immediate release and accused the government of subjecting her to persecution and torture.

Rivadeneira maintained that all funding for the 2023 campaign had been accounted for. She also said financial penalties previously levied by the electoral authority had been paid, reiterating positions Gonzalez had expressed earlier.

Gonzalez and Correa reject allegations

In a message on X, Gonzalez dismissed the accusation as absurd and urged her party’s members to unite in pursuit of freedom and democracy in Ecuador.

Gonzalez is a protege of Rafael Correa, the former socialist president, who supported her presidential bid. Correa also rejected the allegations, telling a local radio programme that the case concerned neither legality nor compliance with rules, but amounted to outright, brutal persecution.