Ecuadorian ex-President Lenín Moreno was convicted of bribery on Friday, August 28, 2026, in the Sinohydro case, a scandal linked to alleged illicit payments from the Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro during the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant. The Court National Justice in Quito handed down the verdict against Moreno and 19 other individuals, including his wife Rocío González, daughter Irina Moreno, and close relatives, as well as Conto Patiño, a personal friend and businessman.
The prosecutor's office had sought a six-year and six-month prison sentence, plus aggravated penalties, for Moreno and several co-defendants, including Chinese ex-ambassador Cai Runguo and former Sinohydro representatives. The prosecution alleged that Sinohydro allocated approximately $76.1 million for bribes to secure financing and the contract for the Coca Codo Sinclair project. Moreno, who served as Vice President under Rafael Correa when the project was awarded, is accused of receiving over $1 million of these alleged bribes with his family.
Moreno's defense, however, maintained his innocence, asserting that the charges are politically motivated and that he had no direct involvement in the contract. Despite his attorney's request for a postponement, Moreno attended the oral sentencing hearing in person, accompanied by his wife, while other defendants participated via Zoom. This verdict marks a significant development in a case that has been under investigation for several years, following a trial that spanned 31 days and concluded in July 2026. The oral decision is a first-instance ruling, allowing for potential appeals by the involved parties.
