The ARCH agency has reported that legal maneuvers by the defenses of Aquiles Alvarez and Fuelcorp may delay the upcoming hearings in the Triple A case, scheduled for March 7, 2026.
On March 5, 2026, three new legal resources were filed that could once again postpone the hearings related to the review of precautionary measures and the trial of Aquiles Álvarez in the Triple A case, which are set for March 7, 2026. The prosecution is seeking preventive imprisonment against Alvarez for failing to comply with the electronic bracelet mandate linked to the alleged crime of illegal hydrocarbon marketing. Additionally, the trial phase is anticipated to begin against Alvarez, along with 21 other individuals and entities involved in the case.
ARCH, the regulatory agency for hydrocarbon control, has publicly denounced that the legal defenses of both Mayor Alvarez and the implicated company Fuelcorp are attempting to "fill the tribunal with unwarranted paperwork" to further delay a process that has already experienced 14 postponements at various stages. This situation has raised concerns regarding the effective functioning of the judicial system in handling serious allegations of illegal activities in the hydrocarbon sector,
The multiple delays not only impact the individuals involved but also contribute to the ongoing public discourse about accountability and transparency within Ecuador’s political and judicial realms. As the situation develops, the implications of these delays could shape public trust in the legal system, especially amidst increasing calls for reform in the wake of corruption scandals in Ecuadorian politics.
