María Fernanda Vargas, the mayor of Simón Bolívar canton in Ecuador's Guayas province, has made the decision to leave the Citizen Revolution (RC) party following an investigation by the party's Ethics Committee. In a letter shared on her social media on March 13, 2026, Vargas expressed that her presence within the party had become 'uncomfortable' due to her repeated exclusion from municipal authority meetings. She indicated that the leadership appeared to have made decisions about her before any official judgment was made, leading her to conclude that her role in the party was no longer welcomed.

Additionally, Vargas is under scrutiny for her alleged communications with Leandro Norero, a drug trafficker whose name surfaced on social media earlier this year. The investigations into Vargas's conduct have raised serious ethical concerns, especially as her connections to Norero come to light. Norero was infamously murdered in October 2022, adding a layer of controversy and danger surrounding the allegations against Vargas, which indicate a potential criminal association.

This departure from the Citizen Revolution marks a significant turning point in Vargas's political career, especially given the party's strong ties to former President Rafael Correa. The implications of her exit may extend beyond her personal political journey, potentially influencing the dynamics within the Citizen Revolution party as it faces ongoing scrutiny and seeks to maintain credibility among its constituents in light of the ethical challenges it currently faces.