Ecuador judge orders pretrial detention for Luisa Gonzalez

An Ecuadorian judge ordered pretrial detention for opposition politician Luisa Gonzalez and two other people investigated for alleged money laundering linked to campaign financing, the Attorney General’s Office said Friday.

The ruling stems from the Laberinto case, which investigates alleged irregularities in the financing of the Citizens’ Revolution’s 2023 presidential campaign.

Primicias reported that Gonzalez was detained during an operation in Manabi province on Oct. 22.

The investigation focuses on the suspected use of funds linked to illegal fuel trading to finance electoral advertising and other campaign expenses.

Prosecutors are examining the origin and justification of campaign contributions, as well as payments that may not have been properly reported to electoral authorities.

The case also involves former lawmaker Santiago Diaz and others suspected of participating in the alleged scheme, Primicias reported.

The judge ordered pretrial detention for Gonzalez, Diaz and Onofre, while Molina must report to authorities three times a week, remain in Ecuador and wear an electronic monitor.

Prosecutors allege that approximately $500,000 may have been moved through a network of companies to finance campaign advertising between May and October 2023.

The investigation will continue during a 90-day period of formal instruction, according to the official statement.

Gonzalez, who represented the Citizens’ Revolution movement in the 2023 and 2025 presidential elections, has rejected the allegations and described the case as political persecution.

The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a final court judgment.