Ecuador opposition leader Luisa Gonzalez arrested in campaign finance probe

Ecuadorian opposition leader Luisa Gonzalez has been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in campaign financing, a case her party denounces as politically motivated.

Gonzalez, a prominent left-wing politician and ally of former president Rafael Correa, was detained on October 22, local media reported. In a statement, Ecuador's Attorney General's Office said it had executed arrest warrants, with seven people under investigation over alleged "inconsistencies in the contributions and the lawful source" of campaign funds.

Investigators are examining the use of a network of entities to channel approximately $500,000 for campaign purposes, the office said, alleging the money may have been transferred improperly. The investigation, known as the Laberinto case, follows an earlier probe into alleged campaign irregularities.

Gonzalez described the accusations as "absurd" in a post on X and called on supporters to unite in pursuit of democracy in the face of the "Noboa dictatorship." Correa wrote on X: "Luisa Gonzalez has been arrested. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!" Her Citizen Revolution Movement called the arrest politically motivated and demanded her release.

Gonzalez, a lawyer and former member of Ecuador's National Assembly, lost presidential elections to right-wing President Daniel Noboa in 2023 and 2025. She rejected the 2025 result as fraudulent and demanded a recount, while Noboa's government accused her movement of conspiring with criminal groups.

Noboa, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has cracked down on the opposition since winning re-election. In March, the Citizen Revolution Movement was suspended from upcoming local elections.