Progen reveals chats of Ecuadorian officials about generators, demands more documents

Documents filed in U.S. court Monday reveal conversations between Progen CEO John Manning and former Ecuador Government Minister Felix Wong and former Energy Minister Inés Manzano about the purchase of electric generators in 2024.

A Progen generator being delivered in Quevedo in January 2025.

The conversations were released as part of Progen’s demand that the Ecuador Electricity Corporation, Celec, hand over additional information related to the case. Manning claims that his company has turned over 31,000 documents while Celec has produced only 1,100. “This disproportion of information provided by Progen and Celec puts Progen at a substantial disadvantage in this case,” he said.

In its request to the U.S. judge, Porgen wants Celec to hand over chats, text messages and emails, as well as minutes of Celec board of directors’ meetings.

The Progen request focuses on WhatsApp calls and messages because, according to Progen, this is where “disputed issues,” including the condition of the generators, were discussed.  Ecuador claims it was defrauded by Progen in its representation of the thermal generators. The contract to purchase the generators was signed in August 2024 with delivery to sites in Quevedo and Salitral scheduled for November 2024.

In conversations with Wong, Manning complains about Celec’s bureaucratic obstacles, including a delay of 33 days in the delivery of contract copies and problems obtaining visa documents for technicians. Manning and Wong also discuss delivery delays caused by hurricanes in Florida.

In response to Manning’s complaints, Wong tells Manning that someone named “Ernesto” would be in touch with him.

Manning also provided screenshots of conversations between Progen lobbyist Karla Saud with former Celec manager Fabián Calero regarding the renegotiation of generator delivery terms to the Salitral and Quevedo locations.

In a November 11 conversation, Manzano questions Manning about the delay in delivery of the generators. “If they are not delivered, this is a serious breach of the agreement,” she says. “I will speak to the U.S. Ambassador about this behavior.” She added: “Let me refresh your memory that we gave you $60 million.”

Manning responded, referring Manzano to earlier conversations with Wong.