Corruption and Crime Scandal Shakes Ecuador: Judges and Politicians Arrested in Purge Case.

In Ecuador, a scandal of corruption and organized crime has shaken the highest spheres of the country's judicial and political power. Twelve people, including judges and politicians, have been arrested as part of an operation called Operation Purge, which has uncovered a corruption scheme involving drug trafficking and the illegal obtaining of judicial benefits for members of organized crime. The Attorney General of Ecuador, Diana Salazar, has emphasized that this investigation stems from the Metastasis Case, which had previously exposed a corruption network with 39 detainees. On this occasion, the Purge Case has revealed how high-ranking judicial officials and politicians from the province of Guayas, including former assemblyman Pablo Muentes and the former president of the Provincial Court of Justice, Fabiola Gallardo, would be involved in granting favors to drug traffickers in exchange for economic benefits. Among the detainees are judges and former judges who allegedly manipulated draws to favor criminal interests, as well as public relations officer Mayra Salazar, linked to drug trafficker Leandro Norero. It has been revealed that the scheme even favored the fugitive drug trafficker 'Fito', leader of the criminal gang Los Choneros, while the Ecuadorian justice system investigates his connection to the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. Attorney Salazar has also indicated that former legislator Muentes allegedly used his political influence to obtain undue judicial benefits, such as a favorable ruling that involved the payment of a million-dollar compensation in his favor in a debt case with a bank. The corruption scheme appeared to extend to Muentes' relatives, who allegedly benefited from irregular rulings to illegally appropriate assets. This scandal has caused shock in Ecuador and raises serious questions about the independence and transparency of the country's judicial system. Authorities continue to investigate this case, which calls into question the integrity of justice and the honesty of the officials responsible for administering it. The fight against corruption and organized crime remains a crucial challenge for Ecuadorian society in pursuit of truth and justice.