Judge Bolívar Romo’s actions violate legal requirements and spark political fallout.

The Judicial Council of Ecuador has taken decisive action, dismissing Cuenca judge Bolívar Romo after an extensive investigation revealed he granted improper prison benefits to prisoners convicted of serious crimes, including murder, rape, and drug trafficking. On June 17, 2025, the Judicial Council announced its decision, citing Romo’s significant breach of protocol in authorizing early releases and semi-open prison terms for inmates who failed to meet the legal criteria for such privileges.

Judge Romo, who served as a judicial official in Cuenca, granted these benefits to 28 inmates, many of whom were serving final sentences for heinous offenses. Despite the clear guidelines set by Ecuador’s judicial system, the prisoners involved did not meet the necessary requirements to be eligible for early release or other prison benefits. The Judiciary’s formal statement described Romo’s actions as the result of an “inexcusable error” that significantly undermined public trust in the judicial process.

The unauthorized releases

The prisoners who benefited from Judge Romo’s decisions included individuals convicted of violent crimes such as murder, manslaughter, robbery, and trafficking in controlled substances. Many of these criminals were serving lengthy sentences, some for life, after being convicted for their involvement in particularly gruesome offenses. According to the Judiciary, Romo granted the prisoners these benefits despite a clear legal prohibition against such actions for those who had not fulfilled the necessary requirements under Ecuadorian law.

The scandal came to light following a report on December 17, 2024, from several Azuay assembly members, including Sofía Sánchez, Adrián Castro, Leonardo Berrezueta, and Diego Matovelle, who raised concerns about Romo’s judicial decisions. The assembly members reported that the judge had granted these benefits without the due procedural steps, leading to an investigation by the Judicial Council. The case has ignited political and public outrage, as many believe these releases put the public at risk and represent a significant failure within the judicial system.

Political response and further investigations

Adrián Castro, a legislator reelected to the Assembly for the National Democratic Action (ADN) movement, publicly supported the decision made by the Judicial Council. Castro emphasized the importance of the resolution, calling it an essential step toward holding judicial officials accountable for their actions. He added that the complaint was also formally filed with the Attorney General’s Office, focusing not just on Judge Romo, but also on other officials in the judiciary who may have contributed to the problem.

The formal complaint was crucial, given that it highlighted a pattern of errors within the justice system. Castro noted that this could potentially have far-reaching consequences if further investigations reveal that other members of the judiciary were complicit in permitting similar actions. The dismissal of Romo, he said, set a vital precedent, showing that Ecuador’s judicial system would not tolerate breaches of its own legal standards.

Romo’s controversial past

This recent dismissal is not the first time Judge Bolívar Romo has come under fire for his decisions. In May 2022, Romo was one of the judges who authorized the controversial transfer of prisoners from the Turi prison in Cuenca to the Santo Domingo facility just days before a violent massacre at the Bellavista prison, located in the same province. The massacre, which left 44 dead, shocked the nation and led to heightened criticism of the prison system and the decisions of judicial officers like Romo, who were seen as contributing to the dangerous conditions.

The fact that Romo was involved in such a high-profile case only serves to deepen the public’s concerns over his judgment. Many fear that his decisions may have directly contributed to a crisis in the prison system, further eroding the public’s confidence in Ecuador’s judicial integrity. This episode, combined with his most recent actions in granting unauthorized prison benefits, has sparked calls for a broader overhaul of the judicial system, with many advocates pushing for greater accountability and transparency.

The wider impact on Ecuador’s justice system

The dismissal of Romo is just the latest in a series of controversial decisions that have led to calls for reform within the Ecuadorian judiciary. Many citizens and legal experts have expressed concern about the growing number of judicial oversights that put both the rule of law and public safety at risk. Romo’s case highlights a deep-seated problem within Ecuador’s judicial framework: the need for more rigorous oversight and a closer examination of the criteria used in granting prison benefits, especially when dealing with dangerous criminals.