An Ecuadorian investigation into campaign financing has led to a nine-month suspension for the left-wing Citizen Revolution party, founded and still steered from abroad by former President Rafael Correa, raising red alerts ahead of next year’s local elections.
The decision was based on a money-laundering probe into allegations that Venezuelan cash was used to finance Luisa González’s candidacy in the 2023 snap presidential elections. Electoral laws passed by Correa’s own government in 2009 allow for parties to be suspended for up to 24 months amid ongoing investigations.
Prosecutors claim that cash from Caracas entered the campaign through informal channels in what they call the “Caja Chica” operation, and was then distributed by party insiders. The case was built around the testimony of former Citizen Revolucion member Santiago Díaz, who says he was ordered to transport money directly from Venezuela.
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