Mayor of Guayaquil denounces political persecution following raid on his offices

The mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Alvarez, has raised his voice in protest after the offices of the chain of gas stations that he owns were raided by the Prosecutor's Office, as part of an investigation into alleged fuel smuggling in which his company is involved. For Alvarez, this action represents a clear persecution against him, which he attributes to political motives due to the upcoming electoral context in the country. Amidst the commemoration of the foundation of Guayaquil, Alvarez expressed his discontent with what he considers a strategy to discredit him, especially due to his association with the Citizens' Revolution (RC), led by former president Rafael Correa. In this sense, the mayor warned that the Prosecutor's Office has used the city's flag in the logo of the alleged corruption case, named 'Triple A', which he considers demeaning and a clear allusion to his political affiliation. The political atmosphere in Ecuador is becoming increasingly tense as the extraordinary general elections of 2025 approach, where the current president, Daniel Noboa, plans to run for re-election. In this context, accusations of fuel smuggling have gained prominence, with the president pointing out that companies have been illegally profiting from the sale of fuel subsidized by the State. According to Noboa, fuel smuggling represents a significant loss for the country, with striking examples such as a single vehicle that would have filled its tank more than 28 times a day with subsidized fuel, to then resell it in neighboring countries where prices are not regulated. These practices, according to the president, have been made possible due to the existence of subsidies that favored international smuggling. The complaint filed by the Agency for Regulation and Control of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (Arcernnr) has been interpreted as a government measure to combat these illegal practices, especially after the elimination of subsidies for the most consumed gasolines in the country. The rise in fuel prices, which were previously frozen, has generated controversy and reactions in various sectors of Ecuadorian society. In this scenario, Mayor Aquiles Alvarez's stance is framed as a defense of his reputation and his company against accusations of fuel smuggling. In the midst of a tense political climate, polarization and mutual accusations between authorities and the opposition seem to set the course for the upcoming election campaign, highlighting the tensions and disputes that characterize the political scene in Ecuador.