Mario Godoy, who recently requested a leave of absence as the president of the Judiciary Council of Ecuador, reassured the public regarding the decision made by the council to temporarily appoint Damián Larco as the acting president during his absence. Godoy spoke on the matter in the early hours of February 10, when four members of the Judiciary convened virtually and voted to appoint Larco temporarily. His leave is scheduled from February 9 to February 13, 2026, which raises questions about the council's operations during this period.

In light of the political developments, Godoy also attended a session of the Oversight Commission to listen to witnesses in the impeachment trial against him. However, the scheduled witnesses did not appear, leading to the closure of that phase of evidence gathering. The commission is now set to compile a report that will either recommend the dismissal of the impeachment case or the initiation of further proceedings, thereby adding to the tense political atmosphere surrounding Godoy's leadership.

The implications of these rapid developments in the Judiciary Council highlight ongoing challenges within Ecuador's political landscape, particularly concerning accountability and governance in judicial appointments. Godoy's reassurances of the legitimacy of Larco's appointment attempt to mitigate fears of impropriety, yet the context of the impeachment proceedings continues to loom, influencing public perceptions and the confidence in judicial independence.