Judge Jairo García responded to a request from the defense of Guayaquil's mayor, Aquiles Alvarez, regarding the case known as 'Goleada.' The lawyer had asked for the transfer of Alvarez and four other defendants to the Pichincha Men’s Social Rehabilitation Center No. 2, commonly referred to as Prison 4 in Quito. In a ruling made on February 19, 2026, the judge clarified that he does not have the authority to order the transfer of incarcerated individuals to a specific penitentiary, as this power is solely held by the National Comprehensive Attention Service for Adult Incarcerated Persons and Adolescent Offenders (SNAI).

In his official statement, García noted that even though he previously suggested that confinement should take place in the requested facility, he cannot make the transfer order himself. This ruling emphasizes the limitations of the judicial system in managing the logistics of prison transfers, highlighting the role of the SNAI in such matters.

The implications of this decision may affect the ongoing legal strategy of the Alvarez brothers’ defense team, as they need to navigate the state’s administrative processes for any potential changes in incarceration location. The inability to seek a direct order from the court could lead to delays in their desired transfer and reflect the complexities involved in the legal and penal systems in Ecuador.