A corruption tribunal in Ecuador has unanimously found Francisco Sebastián Barreiro Abad guilty of offering to traffic in influence, resulting in a five-year prison sentence and a fine equivalent to twelve Unified Basic Salaries (approximately $5,784). The judgment was announced by Judge Clara Soria on the afternoon of February 12, 2024. Barreiro Abad, the son of former Vice President Verónica Abad, is implicated in a broader investigation known as the Nene case, which highlights serious issues of corruption within the political elite.

Alongside Barreiro Abad, Daniel Lenín R. P., a former advisor to Vice President Abad, was also called to trial on November 19, 2024, as a direct author of the alleged crime. However, Lenín is currently a fugitive, which has resulted in a suspension of his trial proceedings until he is captured or voluntarily turns himself in to the authorities. According to the ruling, the crime of offering to traffic in influence cannot be judged in absentia, which places significant importance on the handling of this case as it unfolds within the judicial system.

This conviction not only underscores individual accountability among members of Ecuador's political landscape but may also represent a larger trend of judicial enforcement against corruption in the country. The implications of Barreiro's sentencing are profound, impacting public trust in political institutions and potentially leading to further investigations involving other officials connected to the corruption scandal. The Nene case, from which this verdict arises, is indicative of systemic issues that have long plagued Ecuador's governance, calling for stronger measures to safeguard against such misconduct in the future.