Power Outage Halts Trial Hearing Against Former Ecuadorian President Bucaram
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A trial hearing against former Ecuadorian President Abdalá Bucaram was suspended due to a power outage in Guayaquil.
- The hearing, related to alleged illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, was scheduled for Tuesday morning but could not commence due to the blackout.
- Bucaram is also facing charges in a separate case involving the alleged organized crime related to the sale of COVID-19 testing kits.
A trial hearing against former Ecuadorian President Abdalá Bucaram Ortiz in Guayaquil was abruptly suspended Tuesday morning due to an unexpected power outage. The hearing, focused on charges of alleged illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, was scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM but was halted by a blackout that affected the North Judicial Unit 2.
The criminal case for alleged illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition could not be installed due to an unforeseen interruption in the electricity supply.
The power failure, occurring around 8:00 AM, left the judicial complex without electricity and internet connectivity for approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled proceedings. National Police restricted access to the building as a result of the widespread technical failure. Bucaram's defense team was present but had to leave after the suspension was confirmed.
The blackout left the judicial complex's rooms without electricity and internet service about 30 minutes before the scheduled time for the proceeding.
The Judiciary is now tasked with rescheduling the hearing. During this stage, the State Attorney General's Office intended to present its arguments and testimonies from eight police officers involved in a June 2020 raid on Bucaram's residence, where a pistol and ammunition were found without legal justification. The defense maintains the weapon was a ceremonial gift during his presidency (1996-1997).
The defense team for the former president went to the headquarters, but had to leave after the suspension of all activities was confirmed.
Bucaram, 74, was not expected to appear in person, having submitted a medical certificate citing heart failure and recommending 30 days of rest starting August 20, 2026. He is concurrently facing charges in the 'COVID-19 Tests' case, accused of organized crime related to the illegal sale of 21,000 rapid test kits and medical supplies during the 2020 health emergency. His son, Jacobo Bucaram Pulley, is also implicated in that case as a collaborator.
The Judiciary will have to set a new date and time for the reinstatement.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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