An Ecuadorian court has sentenced former president Lenin Moreno to five years in prison after he was found guilty of accepting bribes from a Chinese construction firm involved in a significant hydroelectric project. The ruling, delivered on August 30, 2026, marks a major development in a high-profile corruption case that has implicated several individuals connected to the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair dam, Ecuador's largest hydroelectric facility.

Moreno, who governed the country from 2017 to 2021, was one of 20 individuals convicted in connection with the bribery scheme. The court's decision comes after prosecutors revealed that Sinohydro, the Chinese company responsible for the dam's construction, allegedly paid bribes totaling $76 million between 2007 and 2013. This amount represents approximately four percent of the dam's total project cost.

The prosecution had initially sought a longer prison term of six and a half years for Moreno, but the five-year sentence was viewed as a partial victory for his defense team. Alongside Moreno, his wife and several relatives received sentences of nearly three years for their roles in the corruption case.

Despite the conviction, Moreno has maintained his innocence, asserting that he never accepted any money from Sinohydro. He has attributed the prosecution to a vendetta by his former political ally, Rafael Correa, who has also faced corruption charges and currently resides in Belgium. Moreno accused Correa of orchestrating the case against him, claiming, "He promised to take revenge on me."

The corruption allegations date back to Moreno's tenure as vice-president under Correa from 2007 to 2013. The fallout from their once-close political alliance has been significant, with Moreno shifting the government’s stance towards the right and fostering closer ties with the United States after his election.

Following the court's verdict, Moreno announced plans to appeal the decision, further prolonging the legal battle surrounding the case. The implications of this ruling extend beyond Moreno, as it highlights the ongoing issues of corruption within Ecuador's political landscape, particularly in relation to large-scale infrastructure projects funded by foreign entities.

As the situation develops, the focus will remain on the appeals process and any further legal repercussions for those involved in the bribery scandal.