By N. H. Gill
(Oct. 25, 2022) — On Oct. 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a criminal indictment against Nilsen Arias Sandoval, a high-ranking official at Ecuador’s state-owned oil company, Petroecuador, for taking part in a widespread bribery and money laundering scheme during the administration of ex-Pres. Rafael Correa.

Sandoval allegedly “accepted and agreed to accept bribes made by and on behalf of energy trading and asphalt companies, in exchange for using his official position and influence, and securing improper advantages, in order to assist the companies in obtaining and retaining business with and related to Petroecuador,” according to the indictment.

Photograph: Refineria de Esmeraldas, 2015. Micaela Ayala, Wikimedia Commons.