Quito - Ecuador's public prosecutor ordered search operations at homes connected to politicians from the leftist Citizens' Revolution movement on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged unlawful funds originating in Venezuela that prosecutors say were used to bankroll the 2023 presidential campaign.
The raids included properties linked to presidential contender Luisa Gonzalez and other party members, the prosecutor's office said, and form a component of a broader inquiry into suspected organized crime and money-laundering activities.
Prosecutors' allegations and available detail
Officials have alleged that cash from Venezuela was used to finance the campaign, but have not provided further details about the sums, pathways or specific transactions involved, according to the prosecutor's statement.
Comments from national leadership and responses
President Daniel Noboa has recently asserted that funds linked to ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro entered Ecuador via local party campaign financing channels. The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the prosecutor's office.
The statement from authorities also noted that Maduro was captured in Venezuela this month in a U.S. military raid and faces federal drug trafficking charges.
Denials from the accused
"Citizens' Revolution and Luisa Gonzalez have not received a single cent from Venezuela, from any cartel, or from anyone," Gonzalez told reporters, characterizing the actions as political persecution.
Gonzalez additionally said her party had submitted its campaign expenses to electoral authorities and accused the prosecutor's office of acting without sufficient evidence.
Context and scope of the inquiry
The prosecutor's office identified the raids as part of a probe focused on alleged organized crime and money laundering tied to campaign financing for the 2023 presidential race. Beyond the assertions noted above, authorities have not released additional specifics about the alleged transactions or the identities of other individuals implicated.
Implications
- The investigation centers on campaign financing and alleged cross-border movement of funds tied to Venezuelan sources.
- Public statements from both the president and the accused suggest a politically sensitive inquiry with potential legal and reputational consequences for those involved.