An Ecuadorian judge orders opposition leader Luisa González held in pre-trial detention

González, 48, was arrested Thursday in the town of Canuto over alleged money laundering. Prosecutors say she is one of seven people investigated over financing of the 2023 presidential campaign.

González denies wrongdoing and calls the charges absurd, while her party and former president Rafael Correa call the arrest political persecution.

“[The arrest] confirms or makes visible what we have been saying lately: Ecuador is living under a dictatorship.”

— Gabriela Rivadeneira, Citizen Revolution president

Her Citizen Revolution party has been banned from running in local elections next month, and other members have faced charges or convictions.