Ecuador President Noboa announces transfer of ex-minister Serrano from US to high-security prison

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced on August 28, 2026, the transfer of former Interior Minister José Serrano from the United States to the 'Cárcel del Encuentro' prison in Ecuador. Serrano is one of the individuals facing charges for the intellectual authorship of the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

"We said it and we fulfilled it," Noboa stated, referring to Serrano's transfer. He further described Serrano as the "new guest" of the high-security facility. Serrano is being prosecuted in Ecuador for his alleged role in the 'Magnicidio FV' case, which investigates the intellectual authorship behind the murder of Villavicencio.

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We said it and we fulfilled it.

In a pointed message directed at former President Rafael Correa, who is considered a fugitive by Noboa and has a sentence to serve in Ecuador for a corruption case, the president declared, "Your turn is coming soon." This statement links Serrano's imprisonment to Correa, suggesting further actions against the former president.

Correa, who served as president from 2007 to 2017, has faced multiple legal challenges and convictions in Ecuador, including for bribery and illicit association. Serrano served as Interior Minister during Correa's administration.

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Your turn is coming soon.