**Ecuador Sentences Ex-President Lenin Moreno to Five Years in Jail in Bribery Case**
An Ecuadorian court has sentenced former President Lenin Moreno to five years in prison after finding him guilty of bribery linked to the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, the largest of its kind in the country. The ruling was announced by the public prosecutor’s office on August 29, 2026.
Moreno, who served as Ecuador's president from 2017 to 2021, was also permanently barred from holding any public office in the future. The case against him stemmed from an investigation initiated by the attorney general’s office in March 2023, which uncovered a network of corruption involving Moreno, his family, and business partners from both Ecuador and China.
The Coca Codo Sinclair plant, which began operations in 2016, has faced ongoing technical issues since its inception. Judge Manuel Cabrera, who presided over the case, stated that Moreno's actions were consistent with the charges of bribery against a public official. The investigation revealed that the Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro allegedly paid approximately $76.1 million in bribes between 2009 and 2018. These payments were reportedly funneled through fraudulent consulting contracts.
In addition to Moreno, several family members were also convicted. His wife, Rocio Gonzalez Navas, along with his daughter and two brothers, received sentences of two and a half years in prison. Cai Runguo, the former Chinese ambassador to Quito, was also sentenced to five years.
The prosecution detailed how the illicit funds were transferred through overseas accounts and shell companies in tax havens before reaching Moreno and his associates. Prosecutors claimed that Moreno and his close relatives received over $1 million while he served as vice president from 2007 to 2013.
Throughout the trial, Moreno maintained his innocence, arguing that he had no involvement in the signing or oversight of the project’s contracts. "You’re looking in the wrong place. Look at those who signed the contracts, at those who had the habit of demanding kickbacks," he told the court during the proceedings.
Moreno returned to Ecuador from Paraguay to face the trial, which has drawn significant public attention and highlighted ongoing concerns about corruption in the country's political landscape. The case reflects broader issues of accountability and governance in Ecuador, where corruption scandals have plagued various administrations.
As Ecuador continues to grapple with the implications of this ruling, the case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the nation in addressing corruption and restoring public trust in its political institutions.