Jorge Glas is not on vacation, judge rules

National Court Judge Janeth Arias rejected a petition by five Alianza País (AP) National Assembly members Monday to void President Lenin Moreno’s appointment of María Alejandra Vicuña as interim vice president. The petitioners claimed that Vice President Jorge Glas is on vacation and,  by law, cannot be replaced.

Judge Janeth Arias, right.

Glas is in a Quito jail awaiting trial on charges related to the Odebrecht bribery scandal.

Arias agreed with lawyers for the president that Glas had never formally requested annual leave and was therefore not on vacation from his office. The petitioners said that Glas had, in fact, requested leave time but the judge ruled he had not notified Moreno, his boss.

Moreno stripped Glas of all vice presidential duties in August after he proclaimed his loyalty to former president Rafael Correa. Glas was indicted on corruption charges in September and was jailed earlier this month.

For more on the Jorge Glas saga, click here.