Ecuador's Supreme Court sentences former President Moreno

The Supreme Court of Ecuador has convicted former President Lenín Moreno of corruption related to the construction of the country's largest hydroelectric plant, Coca Codo Sinclair, built by the Chinese firm Sinohydro. According to the country’s prosecution office, the court in Quito found Moreno guilty of accepting bribes totaling $76 million (€65 million). The verdict came after a trial involving 20 defendants, including Moreno and 19 others, among them a former Chinese ambassador. Moreno, who is currently in a wheelchair due to a spinal injury, denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated, and announced his intention to appeal the ruling. The case centers around the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair dam, which supplies approximately 30 percent of Ecuador’s electricity. Prosecutors allege that Sinohydro paid bribes during the project’s execution, with Moreno and members of his family accused of receiving about $1 million in kickbacks. Moreno’s wife and several relatives face two-and-a-half years in prison for complicity. However, the court did not impose the six-and-a-half-year prison term requested by prosecutors, likely due to Moreno’s age and physical condition. If the conviction stands, he could potentially serve his sentence under house arrest instead of in prison. Moreno served as president from 2017 to 2021. Before that, he was vice president under leftist leader Rafael Correa, who ruled Ecuador from 2007 to 2013. Their political relationship soured over time, leading Moreno to shift toward more conservative policies and align closer with the United States. After being found guilty, Moreno claimed he had accepted “not one cent” from Sinohydro and accused the former Correa administration of seeking revenge against him. He stated that Correa had promised to retaliate, which he believes led to the legal action against him. Correa, who is currently living in exile in Belgium, was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption, though the trial took place in his absence. His legal troubles have been ongoing since his presidency ended in 2017, and he has remained a prominent figure in Ecuadorian politics despite his exile. Moreno’s conviction adds another layer to the complex political landscape of the country, where tensions between different factions have persisted for years. The involvement of a Chinese company in the construction of the hydroelectric plant highlights the broader context of international partnerships and their potential for controversy. Sinohydro, part of the state-owned China Energy Engineering Group, has been active in several Latin American countries, often facing scrutiny over transparency and ethical concerns. The case in Ecuador underscores the challenges associated with large-scale infrastructure projects involving foreign investment, particularly when they intersect with domestic political dynamics. Moreno’s legal team is expected to file an appeal soon, challenging both the conviction and the sentencing. The outcome of this appeal could influence future legal proceedings against other individuals linked to the case. Meanwhile, the prosecution has emphasized its commitment to holding all parties accountable, regardless of their status or connections. This case continues to draw attention from both national and international observers, reflecting the ongoing debate over accountability, governance, and the role of foreign entities in shaping economic and political landscapes in South America.