González’s lawyer blasts government influence on the courts; Gov’t had no insurance on failed dam; Mining income rises 42%; Funds withheld, prefect claims

The attorney for jailed former presidential candidate Luisa González claimed Wednesday that his client is being held illegally and should be released. “This case is being conducted under the influence of the government for political reasons,” said Diego Guarderas. “If it was handled in accordance with the law, Luisa would be free today,” he said.

González is in pre-trial detention at a Riobamba prison on allegations of mishandling campaign finances from her 2023 campaign against President Daniel Noboa.

The Chinese-owned Mirador mine in Chinchipe Province.

Guarderas pointed to Monday’s dismissal by the Judicial Council of three judges in the Goldeada case as an example of government pressure on the legal system. “Under the constitution, the legal system should operate independently of the executive but, as we can clearly see, the government is attempting to control the courts by intimidation and other coercive methods,” he said.

Guarderas comments came as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in Panama was considering a case against the government for using law enforcement and the courts to control its opponents. The case was presented by a coalition of social organizations.

Following presentations from the organizations, IACHR President Stuardo Ralón acknowledged “major systemic problems” in Ecuador. “Judicial independence should not create confrontation between the state and society but rather be a meeting point that allows both to trust that justice is above any power.”

Government had no insurance on failed dam
Government critics claim that a permeable dam intended to slow Coca River erosion near the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant had no insurance. Inaugurated April 13 by former Energy Minister Inés Manzano, the dam collapsed less than six weeks later in May.

Following an examination of the contract by National Assemblyman Comps Córdova and others, the group found that paperwork to insure the $20 million dam was never completed. “The government lied by saying that there was insurance,” Córdova said. “The dam is another of the failures of President Noboa’s government and, as with the Progen case, it is the taxpayers of Ecuador who foot the bill for this negligence.”

According to sources at the Energy Ministry, when current Energy Minister Juan Carlos Blum attempted to collect an insurance payment from an unnamed insurance company for the dam, the company declined, saying the application for insurance was never completed.

Mining income rises 42%
Mining income rose dramatically through the first eight months of 2026 as $3.59 billion in exports represented a 42% increase over the same period of 2025. The exports come from two mines, Fruta del Norte and Mirador, located in Zamora Chinchipe Province.

In a statement, Ecuador’s Central Bank attributes the revenue gains to higher market prices for gold, silver and copper. “There was also a net increase in the physical amount of exports of the metals,” the bank said.

Despite the good news, the Ecuador Chamber of Mining said the exports from mining should be much higher. Chamber Executive Director María Eulalia Silva claimed that “bureaucratic procedures” and anti-mining protests have restricted growth in the mining sector. “While very encouraging, mining exports could be much, much more and provide the country with badly needed income,” she said.

She urged the government to speed up the approval process for pending mining applications and take “appropriate action” to prevent social groups from stopping projects that have been approved.

Feds withhold money for Azuay
Azuay Prefect Alexandra Quintanilla claims the government is withholding $9 million that is badly needed for road and bridge repairs in the province. Quintanilla questions the lack of response from the government procurement office. “It appears that they don’t want the work to happen,” she said. “This is money the citizens of Azuay Province paid in taxes so why isn’t it returned to us so we can make the necessary repairs?”

On Radio Tomebamba, University of Azuay professor Juan Calderon, answered Quintanilla’s question. “There’s an election in about a month and Noboa is running his candidates for prefect and Cuenca mayor,” Calderon said. “It is obvious he wants the incumbent GADs [local governments] to look bad.”