The mayor of Guayaquil denounces political persecution in the case of fuel smuggling.

The mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Alvarez, has raised a voice of alert regarding what he considers a persecution against him following the recent raid on the offices of the chain of gas stations of which he is the owner. This action by the Prosecutor's Office comes in the context of a complaint filed by the Government of Ecuador for alleged fuel smuggling in which his company is involved. Alvarez has expressed his concern about what he perceives as an attempt to discredit him and his administration, especially in a political context marked by the upcoming extraordinary general elections of 2025. The mayor has highlighted that his election to the mayor's office of Guayaquil was under the auspices of the Citizen Revolution (RC), led by former president Rafael Correa. In this sense, he has pointed out that in the current political scenario, the RC would be the main opponent of the Government if the current president, Daniel Noboa, seeks reelection. These statements suggest a possible manipulation of institutions for political purposes at a crucial moment for the country's future. Alvarez has criticized the use of the Guayaquil flag in the logo of the alleged fuel smuggling case, dubbed 'Triple A', considering it denigrating and unnecessarily linked to the Citizen Revolution. The recent removal of the flame from the RC logo suggests an attempt to distance itself from the controversy surrounding this case and to disassociate the political organization from corruption allegations. The accusations of fuel smuggling have sparked a strong debate in Ecuador, especially after President Noboa highlighted the magnitude of the problem by mentioning that some companies have been involved in illicit activities that have represented million-dollar losses for the State. The increase in prices of the most consumed gasoline, accompanied by the reduction of subsidies, has been interpreted as a measure to curb smuggling and prevent the country from suffering the economic consequences of these fraudulent practices. The complaint filed by the Agency for Regulation and Control of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (Arcernnr) has revealed the complexity of the fuel smuggling issue in Ecuador. The fact that this fuel is subsequently resold in neighboring countries such as Colombia or Peru, where prices are higher due to market liberalization, underscores the need to address this situation comprehensively and in a coordinated manner among the different stakeholders involved. In this context, the Government's response to the accusations of fuel smuggling will be key to establishing transparency and the effectiveness of the measures taken. Ecuadorian society expects that the facts will be clarified, the responsible parties identified, and the necessary measures taken to prevent these types of situations from recurring in the future. The fight against corruption and smuggling must be a priority to ensure sustainable development and economic stability in the country.