Darío Macas resigns as mayor of Machala from jail

Darío Macas Salvatierra has resigned as the mayor of Machala from his detention in Latacunga prison. Macas submitted his express and irrevocable resignation on August 10, 2026, citing that the city deserves a mayor who is fully present. He also stated that the ongoing legal process he faces requires his absolute dedication, making it impossible to adequately fulfill his public duties.

The resignation comes just one day after the end of his authorized vacation period, during which Jenny Machuca Granda served as acting mayor. Macas's decision to step down while incarcerated marks a significant moment for the city's administration.

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Machala deserves an alcalde who is fully present.

Macas was arrested on July 6, 2026, as part of a joint operation by the Attorney General's Office and the National Police. He is under investigation for alleged illicit enrichment. Prosecutors allege that a scheme involving fictitious companies and constant bank transfers operated between 2019 and 2025, coinciding with Macas's tenure as mayor. A key piece of evidence cited is a company linked to the municipality, which reportedly had contracts with it, and in which Macas allegedly held a 90% stake, suggesting unjustified wealth accumulation.

The investigation, initiated in June 2026 by the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, indicates that Macas and his wife allegedly experienced an unjustified increase in their net worth of approximately $6 million between 2019 and 2025. His resignation from the mayoral office is a direct consequence of these serious allegations and the subsequent judicial proceedings.

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The judicial process I am facing requires absolute dedication.