Ecuador ex-President Moreno sentenced to five years for bribery in Sinohydro case

Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno has been sentenced to five years in prison for bribery, a significant development in the Sinohydro case.

A tribunal of the National Court of Justice declared 20 individuals responsible for bribery on August 28, 2026. Moreno, who also previously served as vice president, was found to be a direct perpetrator.

The Attorney General's Office, led by acting prosecutor Leonardo Alarcón, presented evidence suggesting a scheme that moved approximately $76.1 million in improper payments. These payments were tied to the awarding and execution of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric project, amounting to about 4% of the construction contract's value.

During the 31-day trial, the prosecution presented 29 testimonies, 20 expert reports, and 90 documentary pieces of evidence. This included financial records, corporate and commercial documentation, contracts, and information obtained through international legal cooperation to trace the money's flow and beneficiaries.

The court ordered individualized economic reparations totaling over $163 million. Additionally, the convicted individuals must issue public apologies, and the ruling will be published on the websites of the Vice Presidency of the Republic, CELEC EP, and the Attorney General's Office. The tribunal also suspended the participation rights of the convicted individuals for the duration of their sentences and permanently barred former public servants from holding public office. This ruling is from the first instance.