Background on Jorge Glas and His Relevance
Jorge Glas served as Vice President under Rafael Correa’s government from 2013 to 2017 in Ecuador. Recently, Glas has been at the center of attention due to his ongoing legal battles and a new corruption allegation.
Previous Convictions
Glas is currently serving prison sentences for two previous corruption cases. His legal troubles have kept him in the spotlight, making him a significant figure in Ecuador’s political landscape.
New Corruption Allegations
Judge Marco Aguirre’s Decision:
On Monday, an Ecuadorian judge ruled that ex-Vice President Jorge Glas will face trial for alleged misuse of public funds intended for the reconstruction of coastal areas devastated by the 2016 earthquake.
Judge Aguirre decided to call Glas and another former official to trial, citing sufficient grounds to presume their involvement in the alleged crime of “peculado” (embezzlement) while leading a reconstruction committee for the affected provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas.
Fiscalía General’s Accusations
The Prosecutor General had requested that Glas and eight other former officials, some of whom are currently outside the country, stand trial in this case.
Fiscals accuse Glas, who headed a reconstruction committee for the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas, and eight former officials of including non-priority projects in their funding. These funds were collected through contributions from public and private sector workers’ salaries, as well as an increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Allegations of Abuse of Public Funds
The Prosecutor General also claims that there was an abuse of public funds for the benefit of third parties who were contractors and overseers of the contracts signed.
Glas’ Arrest and Diplomatic Tensions
For this case, Glas was arrested last year following an incursion into the Mexican embassy in Quito, which led to a diplomatic rift between Ecuador and Mexico.
Defense’s Stance
Glas’ Lawyer, Sonia Vera:
“The accusation is a political persecution,” Vera stated, asserting that the charges criminalize public policy decisions made within a colegiado (collegial body) and that there is no evidence of public fund misappropriation or diversion for third parties’ benefit.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Jorge Glas? Jorge Glas served as Vice President of Ecuador from 2013 to 2017 under Rafael Correa’s government.
- What are the new allegations against him? Glas is accused of misusing public funds intended for the reconstruction of coastal areas affected by the 2016 earthquake. He is alleged to have included non-priority projects in the funding and abused public funds for third parties’ benefit.
- What is his legal status? Glas is currently serving prison sentences for two previous corruption cases and faces a new trial for these allegations.
- How did his arrest affect Ecuador-Mexico relations? Glas’ arrest, following an incursion into the Mexican embassy in Quito, led to a diplomatic rift between Ecuador and Mexico.
- What is Glas’ defense? His lawyer, Sonia Vera, claims that the accusations are politically motivated and criminalize public policy decisions made within a colegiado, with no evidence of fund misappropriation or diversion for third parties’ benefit.
