ECUADOR’S National Court of Justice has sentenced former president Lenín Moreno to five years’ imprisonment for accepting bribes from a Chinese construction firm involved in building the nation’s largest hydroelectric dam, in a ruling that has sent shockwaves through the country’s political establishment.
The prosecution confirmed via social media platform X that Moreno, who held office from 2017 to 2021, was among 20 individuals convicted in connection with the Coca Codo Sinclair dam project, constructed by China’s Sinohydro Corporation. The 73-year-old former leader, who uses a wheelchair following a paraplegic condition, has vehemently denied the charges and announced his intention to appeal.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence of six-and-a-half years, but the court settled on a five-year term. Moreno’s wife and other relatives were also handed prison sentences of nearly three years each for complicity in the corruption scheme.
‘Not a Single Cent’
Speaking to journalists outside the court following the verdict, Moreno maintained his innocence, insisting he had never received “a single cent” from Sinohydro. He deflected blame onto his former political mentor, Rafael Correa, under whom he served as vice-president during the alleged period of corruption between 2007 and 2013.
“This is the work of the Correa regime,” Moreno declared. “He promised to take revenge on me.”
The relationship between the two former allies has soured dramatically over the years. Moreno initially succeeded Correa with his backing but later shifted towards the political right, distancing himself from his socialist predecessor and aligning more closely with the United States. Correa, who has also been convicted of corruption, currently resides in Belgium.
The Dam That Cost Billions
Prosecutors allege that Sinohydro paid bribes totalling approximately $76 million – roughly four per cent of the project’s total cost – to secure and maintain contracts for the Coca Codo Sinclair dam, a massive infrastructure project that has been a focal point of controversy since its inception.
Two former managers of the power plant were also among those convicted alongside the former president.
Moreno, who previously served as the United Nations special envoy on disability issues, has maintained a defiant stance throughout the legal proceedings. His legal team is expected to file an appeal against what they have described as a politically motivated verdict.
The case represents one of the most significant corruption convictions in Ecuador’s recent history and raises fresh questions about the conduct of Chinese state-owned enterprises operating in Latin America, as well as the enduring legacy of corruption that has plagued the region’s political class.
Source: AFP
