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UDLA confident judges will apply law firmly after arrests in manager's murder

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • University of the Americas (UDLA) in Quito issued a statement following the arrest of five individuals allegedly linked to the murder of its financial manager, Santiago David Ávalos Páez.
  • The university described the investigation as intense, rigorous, and professional, and expressed confidence that judges will apply the law firmly.
  • Four of the five detainees will receive pre-trial detention, while the fifth, a minor, will remain isolated as the investigation into the June 11 murder continues.

The University of the Americas (UDLA) in Quito has issued a statement expressing confidence in the ongoing investigation into the murder of its financial manager, Santiago David Ávalos Páez. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, which occurred on June 11, 2026, when Ávalos was shot while driving in the Miravalle sector of Quito.

The UDLA collaborated very closely with the authorities, as an indirect victim of this crime.

— UDLAThe University of the Americas (UDLA) stated its cooperation with law enforcement in the investigation.

The university described the investigation as "intense, rigorous, and professional," highlighting its close collaboration with authorities as an "indirect victim." UDLA considers the results of this initial phase of the criminal process significant, stating that the actions taken represent an important step toward clarifying the events and offer "consolation to the families, friends, and colleagues of Santiago."

Four of the five detainees, identified as Galo Hernán O. G., María del Carmen S. V., Juan Pablo G. O., and Juan Carlos G. T., have been ordered to pre-trial detention by a judge. The fifth detainee, who is a minor, will be kept in isolation. Authorities are investigating the crime as a potential assassination, with initial findings suggesting the perpetrators may have been colleagues of the victim. The arrests, nearly a month after the murder, were made possible by investigations conducted by the National Police and the State Attorney General's Office.

The actions taken today represent an important step toward clarifying the events and offer consolation to the families, friends, and colleagues of Santiago.

— UDLAThe university commented on the significance of the arrests in the investigation.

UDLA conveyed its trust that judges will "apply the law with firmness" to ensure those responsible face appropriate sanctions. The institution also extended its gratitude to the State Attorney General's Office, Dinased, and the National Police for their work on the case.

We trust that the judges will apply the law with firmness so that those responsible receive the corresponding sanctions.

— UDLAUDLA expressed its expectation for the legal process following the arrests.
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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