Overview
- The Fiscalía formally asked the court on July 9, 2026 for a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence for former president Lenín Moreno and all co-defendants after Attorney General Leonardo Alarcón closed the prosecution's case.
- Prosecutors say Sinohydro paid over $76 million—about 4% of the Coca Codo Sinclair contract—through fragmented payments routed to fictitious consultancies, shell companies and offshore accounts to influence the hydroelectric award.
- The indictment names Moreno as an alleged direct participant and accuses his wife, a daughter, two brothers, more than a dozen associates, the business group identified as Conto P., and former Chinese ambassador Cai Runguo as beneficiaries or intermediaries.
- Moreno and his lawyer reject the charges, say the trial produced no direct proof of his actions, and accuse political opponents, framing the prosecution as revenge tied to his split with ex‑president Rafael Correa.
- Next steps require defense closing arguments before the court issues a ruling, and a conviction could bring prison time, fines, bans on public office and ordered reparations that would affect the officials and companies named and Ecuador’s public contracting with foreign firms.