Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno Sentenced to Eight Years for Bribery

Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of bribery. The ruling by the National Court of Justice also included similar sentences for Moreno's wife, daughter, two brothers, and 33 other individuals implicated in the corruption scandal.

The prosecution's case centred on accusations that Moreno accepted bribes totalling $76 million from the Chinese company Sinohydro. These payments were allegedly made in exchange for securing a contract for the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric project, a substantial infrastructure undertaking.

Moreno, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, has consistently denied the charges, maintaining his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. The controversy surrounding the Coca Codo Sinclair project has been a protracted issue in Ecuador, with questions raised about its financing and execution even prior to Moreno's presidency.