The environmental collective YASunidos has raised concerns about political persecution as a result of a complaint being investigated by the National Electoral Council (CNE) concerning their campaign finances for the 2023 public consultation. The details of this consultation relate to the decision on whether to leave the oil of Yasuní ITT untouched, an issue of significant environmental and political importance in Ecuador. On February 18, 2026, a public hearing presided over by Judge Guillermo Ortega at the Electoral Controversy Tribunal (TCE) lasted over eight hours, during which both the complainants and YASunidos presented their evidence.

During the hearing, CNE President Diana Atamaint presented the complaint suggesting possible electoral violations tied to political financing, specifically in reporting the income and expenditures of the campaign advocating for the 'yes' vote in the public consultation. YASunidos, having registered for the campaign, found themselves at the center of this scrutiny amid allegations of financial impropriety. Among those involved, Pedro Bermeo, a member of YASunidos, expressed concerns that this legal action is part of a broader pattern of political persecution against environmental activists.

This situation could have serious implications for YASunidos and environmental activism in Ecuador, where the oil extraction debate intersects with indigenous rights and environmental sustainability. The case not only highlights the tensions within Ecuadorian politics but also raises questions about the validity and potential bias in how electoral laws are enforced against political movements that challenge the status quo, especially those advocating for environmental protection.