Prosecutor Seeks Trial for Guayaquil Mayor Alvarez in Ankle Bracelet Case

Ecuador's Attorney General's Office has requested that Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Alvarez be brought to trial in the "Grillete" (ankle bracelet) case. This legal action adds to existing charges Alvarez faces in the Triple A and Goleada cases.

The "Grillete" case centers on allegations that Alvarez, as the direct perpetrator, failed to comply with legitimate decisions from a competent authority. Specifically, prosecutors claim he removed his electronic monitoring device, which was a substitute measure for pretrial detention, without proper authorization.

The prosecution presented its accusatory brief, supported by 25 pieces of evidence, and formally requested Alvarez be sent to trial for the alleged offense. The hearing is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. During the proceedings, Alvarez declared to the judge, "You and I have a manifest enmity," to which Judge Karen Alarcón responded, "My jurisdiction is not suspended."

Judge Alarcón postponed the preparatory hearing for the second time, citing defense arguments that the appointed lawyer lacked sufficient time to review the case file. If no legal defense is present at the next session, the judge may appoint representation from the Public Defender's Office. This ongoing case continues to attract significant media attention and could have considerable implications for Alvarez's political future.