Ecuador’s vice-president is jailed during graft investigation

Ecuador’s Vice-President Jorge Glas was jailed Monday after the Supreme Court ordered his arrest while he is investigated for allegedly taking bribes from a Brazilian construction giant involved in a sprawling regional graft scandal.

Police took Glas into custody at his residence in the city of Guayaquil and later transported him on an air force plane to the capital, Quito, where he is being held. Several supporters and former aides rushed to Guayaquil’s air force base to express solidarity with Glas, who they say was stabbed behind the back by his one-time ally, President Lenin Moreno.

Minutes before turning himself in, Glas posted online a video in which he said he would abide under protest the arrest order even while arguing that the case against him was based on lies, false testimony and procedural errors.

“Those who are innocent have no reason to flee,” said Glas in the video, in which he also urged supporters to continue fighting to defend the legacy of former President Rafael Correa, who both he and Moreno loyally served. “Don’t give up, fight for your revolution.”

Judge Miguel Jurado of Ecuador’s top court accepted a request from prosecutors that Glas be detained to guard against any attempt to escape. Until Monday’s ruling Glas was free but barred from leaving the country.

Across Latin America, once seemingly untouchable politicians, including the former leaders of Brazil and Peru, have been charged or are under investigation for purportedly taking bribes or illegal campaign contributions from Odebrecht as part of the construction company’s rapid expansion across the region the past decade.