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Ecuador detains former minister José Serrano after U.S. deportation

September 18, 2026

Former Ecuadorian Interior Minister José Serrano Salgado was deported from the United States to Ecuador after his political asylum request was denied, despite being granted temporary protection under the Convention Against Torture. Upon arrival, he was immediately transferred to El Encuentro prison to face multiple criminal investigations, most notably his alleged involvement as the mastermind in the assassination of journalist and presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The deportation occurred just fifteen minutes after high-level meetings between U.S. and Ecuadorian officials, with President Daniel Noboa announcing Serrano's arrival and warning former President Correa that he could be next.

Who is affected

  • José Serrano Salgado (former Interior Minister facing criminal charges and imprisonment)
  • Former President Rafael Correa (warned by President Noboa he could face similar consequences)
  • President Daniel Noboa and his administration (using the case for political purposes)
  • Serrano's daughter Véronica (holding the state responsible for her father's life)
  • Attorney Luggi García (filed attempted murder allegations against Serrano)
  • Fernando Balda (alleged kidnapping victim in Colombia)
  • The family of murdered journalist Fernando Villavicencio
  • Former officials at the Ministry of the Interior (allegedly forced to contribute salaries)
  • Former State Comptroller Carlos Pólit (connected to Serrano through leaked audio)

What action is being taken

  • The Attorney General's Office of Ecuador is pursuing multiple criminal investigations against Serrano
  • Serrano is currently imprisoned at El Encuentro prison under pretrial detention
  • The Prosecutor's Office is maintaining allegations that Serrano played a role as a liaison and in surveillance related to Villavicencio's assassination
  • Serrano is alleging via his X account that he is not receiving treatment compatible with human dignity inside the penitentiary
  • The Noboa administration is framing the deportation and imprisonment as enforcement of judicial decisions

Why it matters

  • This case represents a critical test of Ecuador's judicial system and its ability to balance the pursuit of serious criminal allegations with fundamental due process protections. The highly politicized nature of the deportation, combined with the government's public rhetoric and warnings to other former officials, raises concerns about whether legal proceedings are being conducted fairly or being used as political weapons. The involvement of high-level U.S.-Ecuador diplomatic coordination in the deportation timing suggests significant international political dimensions beyond the criminal allegations. Additionally, Serrano's allegations of inhumane treatment and his family's concerns about his safety highlight broader questions about prison conditions and state obligations to protect even accused individuals, making this case emblematic of the tension between fighting impunity and upholding the rule of law.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices