The Ministry of the Interior in Ecuador has refuted claims of an attack against Mayor Aquiles Alvarez that circulated on social media and various news portals. Reports suggested that he had been assaulted within the Latacunga prison and that he was subsequently transferred to a health facility. However, the Ministry's communications department promptly clarified that these assertions were false.

Alvarez, who was arrested days ago as part of an operation by the Attorney General's Office and police, is embroiled in an investigation related to organized crime charges. The case, referred to as 'Goleada,' includes allegations of money laundering and tax fraud, supposedly involving a complex corporate network tied to fuel commercialization activities. This backdrop of legal challenges continues to cast a shadow on Alvarez's political career and raises questions about the influence of organized crime in local governance.

During a recent hearing, the Prosecutor's Office requested preventive detention for ten of the eleven individuals implicated in the case, while one was granted house arrest due to being a senior citizen. The escalating nature of these crimes highlights the troubling intersection of civic governance and criminal enterprises in Ecuador, prompting concerns regarding public safety and the integrity of elected officials.