Sebastián Barreiro: What is the reason behind the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office seeking to prosecute Daniel Noboa’s vice president?

Veronica Abad has been in conflict with Noboa since the beginning of the Government. She has reported experiencing harassment by the president in an attempt to force her resignation, expressing fears for her life and labeling the Executive as a “dictatorship.” The reasons for this conflict will be further explained later.

The prosecutor, Carlos Alarcon, disclosed in a video on social media that there were indications of Abad’s involvement in the Great Case. He withdrew from the investigation, stating that the Vice President’s immunity needed to be waived by the National Assembly for further investigation. The allegations against Abad stem from influence peddling in the Nene Case, where a fired official accused Sebastian Barreiro Abad of asking him to keep a portion of his salary in exchange for influencing his hiring.

According to the investigation, the complainant started working as a public official in the Vice Presidency in December 2023. He alleged that he was asked to hand over money to Barreiro to secure his job. The case escalated with accusations of fraudulent practices and led to a growing rift between Abad and Noboa.

The tensions between them have escalated, especially as the presidential elections of 2025 approach. Noboa’s government faces challenges in the National Assembly, as it has lost support from key parties. The possibility of Abad assuming power during Noboa’s electoral campaign raises concerns for the government. The dynamics between the President and Vice President have strained the political climate and may lead to instability and conflict in Ecuador.

The Government is making efforts to prevent Abad from assuming power, with potential scenarios that could lead to her resignation or removal from office. The decisions made in the coming months will have significant implications for Ecuador’s political landscape.