Ecuador: Guayaquil mayor awaits verdict in fuel trafficking case

The Triple A case, involving Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Alvarez, is entering its decisive phase as the specialized court prepares to announce its verdict on August 29, 2026. Alvarez and other defendants are accused by the prosecution of the illegal commercialization of fuels, with prosecutors requesting a six-year and nine-month sentence for those deemed responsible.

The trial, which began with closing arguments on August 2, has seen judges deliberating. The court's decision will determine whether the evidence supports the prosecution's accusations or if the defendants will be found innocent. Alvarez's defense has contested the fiscal's thesis, asserting that his position as a legal representative for companies does not inherently prove criminal participation.

The prosecution alleges that a scheme operated between 2020 and 2024 to sell subsidized fuels in markets for which they were not authorized. This alleged illicit activity is estimated to have caused a loss of $61.5 million to the state, involving 22.8 million gallons of diesel and gasoline. The case is being prosecuted under Article 265 of the Organic Integral Penal Code.

Prosecutor Ruth Amoroso has identified Aquiles Alvarez as a direct perpetrator and requested the maximum sentence, along with fines, full reparation, and the dissolution of the six companies involved. The court's resolution follows nearly a month of deliberation. The Hydrocarbons Regulation and Control Agency (ARCH), acting as a private accuser, has inquired about the case's status.