Correistas say they are being ‘politically persecuted’ in investigation into Venezuela money connection

Former presidential candidate Luisa González claims the government is conducting a “political show based on a vendetta” against the Citizens Revolution movement. Her comments followed a Wednesday raid on her home in which police and prosecutors seized computers, cell phones and documents. The home of her elderly parents was also raided.

Former presidential candidate Luisa González

The Attorney General’s office says the raid is part of an investigation into “irregular financing” and possible money laundering by of the Citizens’ Revolution presidential campaign in 2023. Prosecutors believe some campaign funds originated in Venezuela and were sent by the government of former president Nicolas Maduro. The investigation is code-named the Petty Cash Case.

Although no arrests have been made, prosecutors say that in addition to González, the homes of three other Citizens’ Revolution officials were raided Wednesday: former presidential candidate Andrés Arauz, National Assemblyman Patricio Chávez and former superintendent of companies Suad Manssur.

Also under investigation is former member of Correismo and current prefect of Guayas Province Marcela Aguiñaga, whose home was not raided.

At a news conference Thursday, González said prosecutors were unable to explain the reason for the raid. “They said it was secret and they couldn’t explain why they had copies of my personal photographs in their documents,” she said. “I have never received a single penny from Venezuela nor from Nicolas Maduro, nor from any cartel. This is clearly an act of political persecution.”

In addition, she claimed the Petty Cash case is an attempt to cover up scandals in President Daniel Noboa’s government, including judicial corruption and the seizure at a Guayaquil port of 2.3 tons of cocaine linked to relatives of Noboa.