Cuenca mayor and Azuay prefect summoned to hearings over alleged campaign irregularities during 2023 elections.

The mayor of Cuenca, Cristian Zamora, and the prefect of Azuay, Juan Lloret, are facing serious electoral violation charges that have attracted significant attention. The complaints, brought before the Electoral Contentious Tribunal (TCE), accuse the two officials of violating electoral laws during the 2023 general elections.

These charges mirror similar accusations that resulted in a sanction against the mayor of Quito, Pabel Muñoz. In this case, the complaints were filed by Juan Esteban Guarderas, an active political figure who has also filed complaints against other political figures such as the mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Alvarez.

The Case Against Cristian Zamora

Cristian Zamora, who has served as the mayor of Cuenca since 2019, stands accused of campaigning for former presidential candidate Yaku Pérez during the 2023 elections while already holding office. The complaint, brought forward by Guarderas, suggests that Zamora violated electoral regulations by using his position to influence the election in favor of Pérez.

The case initially fell under the jurisdiction of Judge Fernando Muñoz, but following Muñoz’s resignation on June 25, 2025, the case has been reassigned to Judge Patricio Maldonado. The TCE has set a single oral hearing for the presentation of evidence and arguments in the case for August 18, 2025, in Quito.

Zamora has briefly commented on the case, stating that he intends to address the charges through legal means, without elaborating further on the specifics of his defense.

The Case Against Juan Lloret

Juan Cristóbal Lloret, the prefect of Azuay, faces accusations of promoting the candidacy of presidential candidate Luisa González during the 2023 elections. Guarderas, the individual who filed the complaint against Zamora, has also taken issue with Lloret’s actions, arguing that they violated electoral rules governing the use of public office for campaign purposes.

The TCE has scheduled Lloret’s hearing for September 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Quito. This hearing will also serve as a critical juncture in determining whether Lloret’s actions will result in penalties or further legal action.

Both cases highlight ongoing concerns about the intersection of political influence and electoral integrity in Ecuador. As the TCE moves forward with these hearings, the outcomes could have significant implications for the political careers of Zamora and Lloret, as well as for the broader landscape of Ecuadorian politics.