In a recent session of the National Assembly's Oversight Commission, Ecuador's Infrastructure and Transport Minister Roberto Luque revealed alarming findings regarding the National Transit Agency (ANT). He reported that approximately 3,000 professional licenses were issued during 2025 without any substantiating documentation. This revelation comes amidst an active investigation into illegal vehicle registrations that have allegedly benefitted organized crime groups. Luque's disclosures point to systemic vulnerabilities and potential corruption within the agency.

The investigation was sparked by irregularities found during an internal review of the AXIS system, which manages license issuance. The review uncovered not only the unsubstantiated licenses but also notable structural weaknesses, unauthorized access, and signs of registry manipulation. Aspects of the investigation extend beyond the ANT, delving into municipal transit agencies where disproportionate figures related to vehicle transfers and registrations were also identified, signifying a broader issue of malfeasance in the vehicle registration system across various jurisdictions.

Minister Luque's revelations underscore a growing concern regarding the integrity of Ecuador’s transit system and the necessity for stringent oversight and reform. The implications of these findings could be far-reaching, impacting public trust in government institutions and heightening the urgency for accountability as authorities seek to rectify these systemic flaws and combat organized crime's infiltration into public services.