Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Alvarez allegedly paid $250,000 to secure a meeting with former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, according to testimony provided by state witness José Cevallos Avellán. The payment was reportedly facilitated by political operator Raúl Chávez, who acted as the intermediary between the mayor and the former president, according to reports from local media including Infobae and Ecuavisa.
- Primary Accusation: Payment of $250,000 for political access.
- Key Figures: Aquiles Alvarez (Mayor of Guayaquil), Rafael Correa (Former President), and Raúl Chávez (Political Operator).
- Witness: José Cevallos Avellán, acting as a cooperador eficaz (state collaborator).
- Core Claim: Raúl Chávez brokered the introduction between Alvarez and Correa in exchange for the fee.
How the Alleged Payment Was Structured
According to testimony cited by Infobae and Ecuavisa, the financial transaction was a prerequisite for Aquiles Alvarez to establish a direct connection with Rafael Correa. The witness claims that Raúl Chávez, described as a political operator, charged $250,000 to arrange the meeting.
Reports from Vistazo and La República EC confirm that the witness explicitly stated the meeting between the Mayor of Guayaquil and the former president did take place, following the brokered introduction.
The Role of José Cevallos Avellán
The allegations stem from the testimony of José Cevallos Avellán, who is currently serving as a cooperador eficaz. According to El Universo, this legal status allows a witness to provide evidence and denounce other individuals in exchange for reduced sentencing or specific legal benefits.
Cevallos’ role as a collaborator is central to the case, as his testimony provides the primary link between the financial payment and the political meeting. He identified Raúl Chávez as the specific individual who managed the transaction and the subsequent introduction.
Political Context of the Accusations
The allegations involve three high-profile figures in Ecuadorian politics: the current mayor of the country’s largest city, a former president, and a known political strategist. While the reports focus on the financial exchange, the testimony suggests a calculated effort by Alvarez to gain access to Correa’s political influence.
The case centers on whether the $250,000 payment constitutes an illegal transaction or a form of political corruption, given the roles of the participants as public officials and political actors.
