Ecuador’s Guayaquil mayor arrested on money laundering charges, sparking protests and political controversy.

Ecuador’s mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Alvarez, was arrested in a dawn raid on money laundering charges, along with the president of Barcelona SC and 10 others. Authorities seized cash, electronics, and documents during raids across Guayas province. Alvarez, a vocal critic of President Daniel Noboa, denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated and aimed at blocking his re-election. He previously faced scrutiny over fuel trafficking and was under electronic monitoring. The arrest, which drew protests from supporters, occurs amid rising violence in Guayaquil, a major cocaine transit hub. Alvarez was transferred to Quito.