2024-08-05 02:54:20
Jorge Peñafiel, a member of the Construye assembly, spoke to Notimundo to discuss the recent censure of the former member of the Judiciary Council, Javier Muñoz, and the imminent impeachment of the former president of the Council, Wilman Terán, and the member Maribel Barreno.
Peñafiel explained that Muñoz’s censure was based on compelling evidence presented during the impeachment trial, including audio recordings that revealed a violation of the voting system within the Judicial Council.
“During the impeachment process, we presented audios in which Terán and Muñoz can be clearly heard consolidating a majority of two people in a five-member collegiate body,” Peñafiel said.
The assemblyman stressed that this majority was formed with a clear political background to remove Judge Walter Macías, who was in charge of relevant cases such as “Las Torres” or “El Caso Vocales.” “This had a political background and a clear interest: to remove the judge at any cost,” he said.
Impeachment of Wilman Teran and Maribel Barreno
The upcoming impeachment of Terán and Barreno was also a central topic of the interview. Peñafiel mentioned that the agenda of the Judicial Council under Terán’s leadership was geared toward promoting impunity.
“The plenary session of the Judicial Council had a political and impunity agenda that became clear during the impeachment trial,” said Peñafiel.
In addition, the assemblyman stressed that the evidence includes advance testimony from Muñoz, who from Brazil claimed to have met with Rafael Correa to receive political instructions. “Muñoz claimed that he met with Correa, who gave him instructions to support Terán in exchange for political protection in the National Assembly,” he said.
Peñafiel said that the parties will have to take a clear position in the next vote. “Approximately four more votes are required, which must come from the Citizen Revolution party,” he said. “The votes that are not from the Citizen Revolution party have already identified themselves as being on the side of the country, on the right side of history.”
The assemblyman also referred to the political agreements and their possible influence on the impeachment. “The connection is clear: the political interest in promoting an agenda of impunity has been revealed to the country,” said Peñafiel.
The interview concluded with a call for action and coherence in the fight against corruption and impunity. “The Construye movement has been doing the right thing since day one. We vote in favor of what is right and against what is wrong,” said Peñafiel.
Finally, the assemblyman stressed the importance of maintaining a firm stance against political pacts that favor impunity.
“We cannot make deals with mafias. We have to send a clear message to the country that we are on the side of justice and the fight against corruption,” he concluded.