Juan Esteban filed a complaint against Aquiles Álvarez for political proselytism.

Juan Esteban Guarderas, former advisor of the Citizen Participation and Social Control Council (Cpccs), filed a complaint with the Contentious Electoral Tribunal (TCE) against the mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Álvarez. The legal action, filed on May 12, 2025, is based on an alleged case of political proselytism in favor of former presidential candidate Luisa González.

Guarderas reported that the mayor allegedly used resources and institutional symbols to promote political acts linked to the Citizen Revolution, an organization led by the fugitive ex-dictator Rafael Correa. The former advisor warned that this behavior constitutes a serious infraction, as electoral law prohibits authorities from using their position to benefit candidacies.

In a video posted on his social media, Guarderas exposed posts in which Álvarez, from the Guayaquil Mayor's Office, allegedly called for participation in a campaign closing for Luisa González. “From the Mayor's chair, with the Guayaquil shield on his chest and the sash well placed, he turned his position into a platform,” wrote the complainant.

The former candidate explained that these actions can't pass as mere gestures of support. “Many call it political support. The law calls it political proselytism. And that, Mr. Mayor, is illegal,” he emphasized. The accusation includes documentary and audiovisual evidence that, according to Guarderas, demonstrates repeated conduct.

The closest precedent occurred in Quito, when mayor Pabel Muñoz was sanctioned for a similar act. Guarderas directly referenced that case to emphasize that there is case law and that the electoral system must act with fairness and firmness against any authority that violates the rules.

In his intervention, he also recalled that his legal team has won six trials during 2025 related to improper conduct by officials who violate electoral neutrality. “Aquiles Álvarez, we'll see you in court,” concluded Guarderas, calling on citizens to defend institutional integrity and reject any attempt at political manipulation from local power.

The case arises in a sensitive political context, with a new Assembly installed and latent tensions between political forces. Despite its electoral defeat, Correísmo has sought to maintain its influence through local alliances, such as the one Álvarez has been accused of representing.

This type of incident reinforces the need to maintain a democratic system based on respect for the law and public ethics. Any attempt to use public positions as campaign platforms not only distorts electoral competition but perpetuates the bad practices typical of the populist past.

The complaint against Aquiles Álvarez revives the debate on the misuse of institutional resources in electoral processes. In times where Ecuador seeks stability and trust in its authorities, defending legality must be a priority to avoid democratic setbacks.