Latest news with #Odebrecht
LeMonde
30-06-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Ecuador's ex-VP sentenced to 13 years in latest corruption case
An Ecuadorian court on Monday, June 30, handed former vice president Jorge Glas a 13-year sentence for corruption, following his arrest in a dramatic raid last year on the Mexican embassy where he had been given asylum. Glas, 55, served as vice president of the South American country under former socialist leader Rafael Correa from 2013 to 2017 and also briefly served as vice president under Correa's successor, Lenin Moreno. The latest decision marks his fourth conviction since 2017. He has yet to complete his cumulative eight-year sentence on two prior corruption cases, one relating to millions of dollars in bribes he took from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. His former boss Correa, who lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium, was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison, for taking bribes. Both men deny the charges. The latest case against Glas revolved around the reconstruction work carried out after a devastating earthquake in Ecuador's coastal provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas in 2016, which left nearly 700 people dead. The Supreme Court in Quito ruled that Glas did not use the millions of dollars collected from Ecuadorians towards the reconstruction for that purpose. Some of the money was used to build a bridge in a remote area far from the disaster zone. 'Politically persecuted' During his trial, Glas declared himself a "politically persecuted person," insisting he had no access to the earthquake reconstruction fund and did not manage contracts awarded by the reconstruction committee. His co-accused, former government technical secretary Carlos Bernal, was also given the maximum 13-year sentence for embezzlement and the pair were fined a combined $250 million. Glas was jailed for corruption in 2017 but was released from prison in 2022 after challenging his detention. His release was later revoked, but in December 2023, before the courts could issue an order for his rearrest, he sought refuge in the Mexican embassy in Quito, which granted him asylum. In April 2024, Ecuadorian police stormed the embassy to apprehend him, sparking a major fallout between Ecuador and Mexico. Mexico broke off ties with Quito over the incident. The staunchly anti-American Correa's rule was marked by major increases in social welfare and large infrastructure projects but also, in later years, by allegations of corruption. Last year, the United States banned both Correa and Glas from its territory over what the State Department called their involvement in "significant corruption."
San Francisco Chronicle
30-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Former Ecuadorian vice president detained in embassy raid gets 13 years in prison
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The former vice president of Ecuador who was detained last year during a highly criticized police raid on Mexico's embassy in the South American country was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison. Jorge Glas had been accused of misusing public funds intended for the reconstruction of two provinces affected by an earthquake in 2016. The quake devastated communities and killed hundreds of people. Glas became vice president in 2013, during the presidency of Rafael Correa, and was removed from that position in January 2018, when he was charged in a corruption case tied to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Judge Mercedes Caicedo said the funds for reconstruction efforts following the earthquake were allocated to 'useless, unusable and unnecessary buildings' disregarding the law, and above all, 'with complete disrespect for the victims.' The court also barred Glas from ever holding public office and fined him $28,800. Glas is already in a maximum-security prison serving time in two other corruption cases. He was detained in April 2024 when police stormed Mexico's embassy in Ecuador's capital, Quito, hours after he had been granted asylum. The embassy raid sparked outrage among world leaders, who criticized Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Diplomatic premises are considered foreign soil and 'inviolable' under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and host country law enforcement agencies are not allowed to enter without the permission of the ambassador. Ecuador's government defended the arrest, arguing that Glas was a fugitive wanted in corruption cases, not for political reasons, and therefore was not eligible for Mexico's diplomatic protection. ____
Hamilton Spectator
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Former Ecuadorian vice president detained in embassy raid gets 13 years in prison
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The former vice president of Ecuador who was detained last year during a highly criticized police raid on Mexico's embassy in the South American country was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison. Jorge Glas had been accused of misusing public funds intended for the reconstruction of two provinces affected by an earthquake in 2016. The quake devastated communities and killed hundreds of people. Glas became vice president in 2013, during the presidency of Rafael Correa, and was removed from that position in January 2018, when he was charged in a corruption case tied to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Judge Mercedes Caicedo said the funds for reconstruction efforts following the earthquake were allocated to 'useless, unusable and unnecessary buildings' disregarding the law, and above all, 'with complete disrespect for the victims.' The court also barred Glas from ever holding public office and fined him $28,800. Glas is already in a maximum-security prison serving time in two other corruption cases. He was detained in April 2024 when police stormed Mexico's embassy in Ecuador's capital, Quito, hours after he had been granted asylum. The embassy raid sparked outrage among world leaders, who criticized Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Diplomatic premises are considered foreign soil and 'inviolable' under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and host country law enforcement agencies are not allowed to enter without the permission of the ambassador. Ecuador's government defended the arrest, arguing that Glas was a fugitive wanted in corruption cases, not for political reasons, and therefore was not eligible for Mexico's diplomatic protection. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former Ecuadorian vice president detained in embassy raid gets 13 years in prison
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The former vice president of Ecuador who was detained last year during a highly criticized police raid on Mexico's embassy in the South American country was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison. Jorge Glas had been accused of misusing public funds intended for the reconstruction of two provinces affected by an earthquake in 2016. The quake devastated communities and killed hundreds of people. Glas became vice president in 2013, during the presidency of Rafael Correa, and was removed from that position in January 2018, when he was charged in a corruption case tied to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Judge Mercedes Caicedo said the funds for reconstruction efforts following the earthquake were allocated to 'useless, unusable and unnecessary buildings' disregarding the law, and above all, 'with complete disrespect for the victims.' The court also barred Glas from ever holding public office and fined him $28,800. Glas is already in a maximum-security prison serving time in two other corruption cases. He was detained in April 2024 when police stormed Mexico's embassy in Ecuador's capital, Quito, hours after he had been granted asylum. The embassy raid sparked outrage among world leaders, who criticized Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Diplomatic premises are considered foreign soil and 'inviolable' under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and host country law enforcement agencies are not allowed to enter without the permission of the ambassador. Ecuador's government defended the arrest, arguing that Glas was a fugitive wanted in corruption cases, not for political reasons, and therefore was not eligible for Mexico's diplomatic protection.
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Former Ecuadorian vice president detained in embassy raid gets 13 years in prison
The former vice president of Ecuador who was detained last year during a highly criticized police raid on Mexico's embassy in the South American country was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison. Jorge Glas had been accused of misusing public funds intended for the reconstruction of two provinces affected by an earthquake in 2016. The quake devastated communities and killed hundreds of people. Glas became vice president in 2013, during the presidency of Rafael Correa, and was removed from that position in January 2018, when he was charged in a corruption case tied to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Judge Mercedes Caicedo said the funds for reconstruction efforts following the earthquake were allocated to 'useless, unusable and unnecessary buildings' disregarding the law, and above all, 'with complete disrespect for the victims.' The court also barred Glas from ever holding public office and fined him $28,800. Glas is already in a maximum-security prison serving time in two other corruption cases. He was detained in April 2024 when police stormed Mexico's embassy in Ecuador's capital, Quito, hours after he had been granted asylum. The embassy raid sparked outrage among world leaders, who criticized Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Diplomatic premises are considered foreign soil and 'inviolable' under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and host country law enforcement agencies are not allowed to enter without the permission of the ambassador. Ecuador's government defended the arrest, arguing that Glas was a fugitive wanted in corruption cases, not for political reasons, and therefore was not eligible for Mexico's diplomatic protection.
