Lenín Moreno

Lenín Moreno was born into a middle-class family in Nuevo Rocafuerte, a small town in the Ecuadorian Amazon, near the Peruvian border. His father, Servio Tulio Moreno, was a teacher who promoted bilingual education and integrated schools for indigenous children and mestizo children and who later became a senator. His parents named him after men they admired; his father liked Vladimir Lenin and his mother Voltaire, although an error in the civil registration turned his middle name into Boltaire{{cite news|title=Elecciones en Ecuador: quién es Lenín Moreno, el rostro conciliador que sucederá a Rafael Correa |trans-title=Elections in Ecuador: who is Lenín Moreno, the conciliatory face that will succeed Rafael Correa |url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/elecciones-ecuador-lenin-moreno-rostro-conciliador-sucedera-rafael-correa_0_HyQJ1hJTx.html |access-date=1 February 2018 |newspaper=Clarín |date=3 April 2017 |language=es |quote=Nació allí porque sus padres -profesores- decidieron trabajar en Nuevo Rocafuerte, que aún hoy no tiene conexión por carretera. Un error en la inscripción en el Registro Civil hizo que su segundo nombre fuera Boltaire, en vez de Voltaire. "Papá era de ideas socialistas y mamá de ideas liberales. A ellos les gustaba mucho leer; a papá, Lenín; y a mamá, Voltaire", explicó.}} (in Spanish the letters v and b correspond to the same phoneme).{{Cite web|url=http://lema.rae.es/dpd/srv/search?id=d45ahCOicD6TkHkns8|title = V | Diccionario panhispánico de dudas}} He moved to Quito with his family when he was three years old.{{cite web|url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/lenin-moreno-heredero-la-revolucion-ciudadana/ |publisher=La Tercera |date=3 April 2017 |title=Lenín Moreno, el heredero de la Revolución Ciudadana |language=es |trans-title=Lenín Moreno, the heir to the Citizen Revolution}}

Moreno studied in Quito at the Instituto Nacional Mejía (Mejia National Institute), the Colegio Nacional Sebastián Benalcázar (Sebastian Benalcazar National School), and the Universidad Central del Ecuador (Central University of Ecuador), where he earned a degree in Public Administration and was honored as the best graduate. He studied psychology.{{cite web|url=http://elfuturoesahora.com/biografia |title=Biografía}}

Moreno began his career in 1976 as the director of the Continental Professional Training Center. He went on to become Director of OMC Publigerencia Andina, sales manager of Satho and marketing manager of Zitro, all located in Ecuador. Then he moved to the public sector, taking an administrative post with the Minister of Government. He worked extensively in the public tourism industry. He founded the Chamber of Tourism of Pichincha, a province in Ecuador, and was executive director of the National Federation of Tourism Chambers and executive director of the Chamber of Tourism of Pichincha, between 1997 and 1999.

Lenin Moreno, before becoming president, established a foundation called the "Eventa Foundation" to promote his "theory of humor," which, according to Lenin Moreno himself, focused on the importance of humor, laughter, and kindness to foster a positive change in people's attitudes and behavior. He even wrote seven books on the subject:

{{lang|es|Filosofía para la Vida y el Trabajo}} ("Philosophy for life and work"), {{lang|es|Teoría y Práctica del Humor}} ("Theory and Practice of Comedy"), {{lang|es|Ser Feliz es Fácil y Divertido}} ("Being Happy is Easy and Fun"), {{lang|es|Los Mejores Chistes del Mundo}} ("World's Best Jokes"), {{lang|es|Humor de los Famosos}} ("Humor of the Famous"), {{lang|es|Trompabulario}}, {{lang|es|Ríase, no sea enfermo}} ("Laugh, don’t be sick") and {{lang|es|Cuentos no Ecológicos}} ("Non-Ecological Tales").{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.vamosporelnobelecuador.com/en/quienes.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014001341/http://www.vamosporelnobelecuador.com/en/quienes.php |archive-date=14 October 2023 |access-date=17 May 2012}}

However, once in office, he attempted to implement this theory, which in practice translated to Lenin Moreno using state media, conferences, and even presidential address to the nation to tell inappropriate jokes—many of them highly offensive towards certain sectors of society containing elements of sexism and misogyny,{{Cite web |date=2020-02-02 |title=Lenín Moreno se disculpa por decir que las "mujeres denuncian el acoso" si se trata de una "persona fea" |url=https://www.france24.com/es/20200202-lenin-moreno-disculpas-mujeres-acoso |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=France 24}}{{Cite news |title=Lenín Moreno pide disculpas por decir que las mujeres denuncian acoso "cuando viene de una persona fea" |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-51347360 |access-date=2024-01-05 |work=BBC News Mundo |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2020-02-01 |title=El Presidente de Ecuador, polémico: dijo que las mujeres denuncian acoso solo cuando el hombre es feo |url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/presidente-ecuador-polemico-dijo-mujeres-denuncian-acoso-solo-hombre-feo_0_czQaQFAZ.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Clarín |language=es}} defense of child labor,{{Cite web |date=2019-08-03 |title=Presidente Lenín Moreno lamenta sus expresiones sobre 'niño emprendedor' |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2019/08/03/nota/7455132/presidente-lamenta-sus-expresiones-sobre-nino-emprendedor |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=El Universo |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2022-01-10 |title=Ecuador neoliberal: Del "monito emprendedor" al "vendedor de caramelos" |url=https://radiolacalle.com/ecuador-neoliberal-del-monito-emprendedor-al-vendedor-de-caramelos-editorial/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Radio La Calle |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Ulchur-Rota |first=Iván |date=2019-08-12 |title=El presidentito |url=https://gk.city/2019/08/12/discurso-lenin-moreno-monito/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=GK |language=es}} and even pedophilia.{{Cite web |title=Acoso sexual y otros temas polémicos de Moreno |url=https://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/ocaso-sexual-frases-polemicas-moreno-4427.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Expreso}}

As a result, Lenin Moreno had to publicly apologize on multiple occasions for his jokes, leading to the creation of the tradition in Ecuador known as the "Burrada de la Semana" where Ecuadorians, through social media, mocked the foolish statements made by Lenin Moreno each week. This tradition persisted until the end of Lenin Moreno's presidency.

Moreno was appointed as Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in December 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sga1446.doc.htm |title=Secretary-General Appoints Lenín Voltaire Moreno Garces of Ecuador Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility |publisher=United Nations |work=Press release |date= 19 December 2013}}

Moreno boosted disabled services budget, aiding Ecuadorians with housing and income. {{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/19/laughing-ecuador-president-moreno-quits |title=Ecuador's Lenín Moreno gives revolutionary turn by quitting while on top |last=Watts |first=Jonathan |date=19 February 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=20 February 2017 |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Moreno implementing a 4% employment quota. He founded the Manuela Espejo Solidarity Mission, aiding and expanding beyond Ecuador. The mission involved Ecuadorean and Cuban doctors visiting homes, offering free medical checkups. Completing his term in 2013, Moreno was the first VP to do so since 1992.

Moreno left the vice presidency on 24 May 2013 and was succeeded by Jorge Glas.{{cite web |url=http://www.vicepresidencia.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2013/10/VICEPRESIDENTES-EN-LA-HISTORIA-2013.pdf |title=Vicepresidentes en la historia |language=es |trans-title=Vice Presidents in history |website=www.vicepresidencia.gob.ec |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225075159/https://www.vicepresidencia.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2013/10/VICEPRESIDENTES-EN-LA-HISTORIA-2013.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Moreno was nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize by Celso Maldonado, Vice President of the People with Disabilities Commission of the Ecuadorian National Assembly.[https://www.larepublica.ec/blog/politica/2012/02/03/vicepresidente-lenin-moreno-mocionado-para-el-nobel-de-la-paz/ "Vicepresidente Lenin Moreno mocionado para el Nobel de la Paz"]. La Republica. 3 February 2012.

On 1 October 2016, Moreno was nominated as a candidate for the 2017 presidential election at the conference of Alianza País. The statement of his candidacy was made by President Rafael Correa.

File:Lenín Moreno y Rocío González (Cambio Presidencial 2017) - 01.jpg

On 19 February 2017 election, Moreno won the elections with 39.3% of the vote. However he was short by less than one percentage point of outright victory, as Ecuador requires in its two-round system.In the Ecuadorian system, to avoid a runoff a candidate needs either to win 50 percent of the first-round vote or to take 40 percent of the vote and be at least 10 percent ahead of the runner-up. (Guillermo Lasso had obtained 28.09%, so had Moreno gained 40 percent, then he would have won by the 40-10 rule.) On 2 April 2017 runoff, he defeated Guillermo Lasso, with 51.16% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://elfuturoesahora.com|title=El Futuro Es Ahora}}{{cite news|title=CNE informa "resultados irreversibles": Moreno 51.16% – Lasso 48.84%|url=http://www.ecuavisa.com/articulo/noticias/politica/258611-cne-informa-resultados-irreversibles-moreno-5116-lasso-4884|access-date=28 April 2017|language=es |publisher=Ecuavisa|date=4 April 2017}}

Within months of winning the election, Moreno started moving away from his election platform,{{cite web |url=http://www.ecuadorinmediato.com/index.php?module=Noticias&func=news_user_view&id=2818825068 |title=¿Una broma? Presidente Moreno: A los que les estoy agarrando un poco de odio, más bien, es a los que votaron por mí (VIDEO) |website=Ecuadorinmediato.com |date=30 August 2017 |access-date=24 December 2018 |archive-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223143337/http://www.ecuadorinmediato.com/index.php?module=Noticias&func=news_user_view&id=2818825068 |url-status=dead }} thus igniting a feud with ex-president Rafael Correa. Later in 2018, through a referendum,{{Cite web|url=https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/preguntas-consulta-referendum-leninmoreno-ecuador.html|title=¿Cuáles son las siete preguntas del referéndum y la consulta popular del 4 de febrero del 2018 en Ecuador?|website=El Comercio|language=es-LA|access-date=1 August 2018}} Moreno reversed several key pieces of legislation passed by the Correa administration that targeted wealthy individuals and banks. He also reversed a previous referendum allowing indefinite re-election, and established the {{ill|Consejo de Participación Ciudadana y Control Social Transitorio|es}} (CPCCS-T), which has supra-constitutional powers,{{Citation|title=Cesar Trujillo Dice Que El CPCCS Si Esta Por Encima de La Constitución!|date=8 May 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9bIVmKw4Nw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527203305/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9bIVmKw4Nw |archive-date=2020-05-27 |url-status=dead|access-date=1 August 2018}} to "evaluate control authorities and judges", with the aim of removing what remains of Correa's influence.

Since the creation of CPCCS-T, Moreno has used it to oust and replace government officials, provincial judges, the judicial council, and the National Electoral Council (CNE).{{Cite news|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2018/06/04/nota/6793538/ciudadanos-esperan-resolucion-cpc-sobre-gustavo-jalkh-consejo|title=CPC Transitorio resuelve cesar en funciones a Gustavo Jalkh y a miembros del Consejo de la Judicatura|date=4 June 2018|work=El Universo|access-date=1 August 2018|language=es-LA}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politica/3/consejotransitorio-concursos-judicatura-carlosbaca-patriciorivera|title=Consejo suspende concursos de la Judicatura y cesa a Patricio Rivera|date=5 April 2018|work=El Telégrafo|access-date=1 August 2018|language=es-es}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpccs.gob.ec/es/cpccs-t-ceso-de-manera-definitiva-al-superintendente-de-bancos/|title=CPCCS-T Cesó de Manera Definitiva al Superintendente de Bancos|website=www.cpccs.gob.ec|language=es-ES|access-date=1 August 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpccs.gob.ec/es/cese_super_companias/|title=Pleno del CPCCS-T Cesa en Funciones a Superintendenta de Compañías|website=www.cpccs.gob.ec|language=es-ES|access-date=1 August 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2018/03/07/nota/6655792/cpc-transitorio-resuelve-destitucion-carlos-ochoa|title=CPC transitorio resuelve destitución del superintendente Carlos Ochoa|date=7 March 2018|work=El Universo|access-date=1 August 2018|language=es-LA}}

Moreno's government adopted a conservative policy: reduction of public spending, trade liberalization, and flexibility of the labour code. The Productive Development Act enshrines an austerity policy, and reduces the development and redistribution policies of the previous mandate. In the area of taxes, the authorities aim to "encourage the return of investors" by granting tax amnesty and proposing measures to reduce tax rates for large companies. In addition, the government waives the right to tax increases in raw material prices and foreign exchange repatriations.{{Cite web|url=http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article46999|title=Équateur : Lenín Moreno et le néolibéralisme par surprise - Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières|website=www.europe-solidaire.org}}

File:Pedro Sánchez recibe al presidente de la República del Ecuador Lenín Moreno 03.jpg, 26 July 2018.]]

Moreno's government supported plans for oil drilling in Ecuador's Amazon region.{{cite news |title=Indigenous peoples go to court to save the Amazon from oil company greed |url=https://www.salon.com/2019/04/12/indigenous-peoples-go-to-court-to-save-the-amazon-from-oil-company-greed_partner/ |work=Salon |date=12 April 2019}}

The Ecuadorian state limits annual public expenditure increases to 3%, confines budget deficits to debt interest repayment, and promotes privatizations with extended subsidies. Additionally, the government adopts international arbitration for foreign investments.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Moreno announced in February 2019 that he had obtained a loan of more than $10 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, with which the previous government had broken off, "at rates below 5% on average and for terms of up to 30 years".{{Cite web|url=http://www.24ecuador.com/politica/ecuador-recibira-prestamo-de-mas-de-10-mil-millones-de-dolares-de-organismos-internacionales/75425-noticias|title=Ecuador recibirá préstamo de más de 10 mil millones de dólares de organismos internacionales|website=24ecuador}}

In June 2019, Moreno's government faced protests from environmentalist, indigenous and self-described patriotic groups after he permitted the US military to use the airbase on Galápagos Islands.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/17/galapagos-islands-ecuador-us-military-airstrip|title=Galápagos Islands: outcry after Ecuador allows US military to use airstrip|last=Collyns|first=Dan|date=17 June 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 October 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/ecuador-spasm-unrest-threatens-government-moreno-fuel-subsidies|title=Ecuador: A Spasm of Unrest Threatens the Government|website=Stratfor|language=en|access-date=14 October 2019}}

He faced more protests in September 2019, as pro-choice demonstrators protested the fact that Ecuador had failed to pass proposed legislation, which would have relaxed the nation's strict abortion laws to allow for abortion in the case of rape.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/18/clashes-erupt-after-ecuador-fails-to-decriminalize-abortion-for-victims|title=Clashes erupt after Ecuador fails to decriminalize abortion for rape victims|last=Daniels|first=Joe Parkin|date=18 September 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 October 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

On 2 October 2019, Moreno declared the abolition of fuel subsidies, which in turn triggered the 2019 Ecuadorian protests. The government was forced to move from Quito to Guayaquil after effectively losing control of the capital to demonstrators.{{cite web|website=The Guardian |title=Ecuador moves government out of capital as violent protests rage|date=8 October 2019 |access-date=14 October 2019|author=Dan Collyns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/08/ecuador-moves-government-out-of-capital-as-violent-protests-rage}} Seven people were killed and 2,100 were arrested before Moreno signed directive 883, restoring the subsidies, which ended the protests on 13 October.{{cite web|website=Common Dreams|author=Eoin Higgins |title=In Victory for People's Movement, Ecuador Protests End With Government Capitulation on Fuel Subsidies|date=14 October 2019|access-date=14 October 2019 |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/14/victory-peoples-movement-ecuador-protests-end-government-capitulation-fuel-subsidies}}

Once the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global pandemic of COVID-19 on 11 March 2020, the Ecuadorian government declared a health emergency throughout the country to prevent the spread of infections. In this way, they implemented various preventive measures, including home isolation for travelers arriving from countries with a higher number of reported cases, increased control measures, restrictions on mass events, strengthening of biosafety measures for healthcare personnel, the use of technological platforms for telemedicine, online education, and telecommuting, and the prohibition of the export of masks, soaps, and disinfectant gels. Subsequently, on March 16, a state of emergency was decreed with the purpose of containing the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19), a situation that persisted until September.

The health system crisis in Ecuador{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-13|language=es-ES|title=Problemática alimentaria y crisis sanitaria en Ecuador|url=https://www.clacso.org/problematica-alimentaria-y-crisis-sanitaria-en-ecuador/|website=CLACSO}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-03-24|first=Sara|language=es|last=España|title=La crisis sanitaria lleva al límite a la economía de Ecuador|url=https://elpais.com/economia/2020-03-24/la-crisis-sanitaria-lleva-al-limite-a-la-economia-de-ecuador.html|website=El País}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-08|title=¿Qué pasa en Ecuador? Covid-19, crisis sanitaria y conflictividad política |url=https://www.nuso.org/articulo/que-pasa-en-ecuador/|website=Nueva Sociedad }} during the coronavirus pandemic worsened due to a lack of investment in hospital infrastructure and a reduction in public health spending in previous years. In 2019, 10,000 public sector professionals were laid off, with the majority being healthcare workers,{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2019-03-06|language=es|title=Trabajadores públicos de Salud denuncian despidos masivos|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2019/03/06/nota/7219694/trabajadores-publicos-salud-denuncian-despidos-masivos|website=El Universo}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2019-03-03|language=es-ES|title=Ecuador: cerca de diez mil trabajadores del sector público fueron despedidos en menos de tres días|url=https://www.nodal.am/2019/03/ecuador-cerca-de-diez-mil-trabajadores-del-sector-publico-fueron-despedidos-en-menos-de-tres-dias/|website=NODAL}} as part of austerity measures imposed by Lenin Moreno and recommended by the International Monetary Fund. The lack of adequate equipment, including the inoperability of key medical equipment, hindered the response capacity to the pandemic.{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-09-05|title=Médicos de Ecuador afirman "sentirse desprotegidos" frente a la pandemia|url=https://www.france24.com/es/20200905-ecuador-renuncia-masiva-profesionales-salud|website=France 24}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-07-21|language=es|title=¿Estaba preparado el sistema de salud para enfrentar la pandemia?|url=https://www.covid19ecuador.org/post/salud-publica-pandemia-1|website=Covid19 Ecuador}} These deficiencies in the health system left the population vulnerable, leading to a critical situation where the deceased accumulated in the streets, highlighting the magnitude of the crisis in Ecuador.

The health system crisis in Ecuador during the coronavirus pandemic manifested in an alarming overflow. The province of Guayas, with Guayaquil as the most affected city,{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-01|language=es|work=Página 12|title=Ecuador muestra la peor cara del coronavirus: Colapsó el sistema de salud y hay toque de queda en todo el país|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/256829-ecuador-muestra-la-peor-cara-del-coronavirus}} recorded 1,937 cases, representing 70% of the national total of 2,748 cases. The BBC reported that Guayaquil had more COVID-19 deaths than entire countries.{{cite news|access-date=2023-07-16|language=es|periodical=BBC News Mundo|title=El drama de Guayaquil, que tiene más muertos por coronavirus que países enteros y lucha a contrarreloj para darles un entierro digno|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-52116100}} Additionally, the number of deaths in the country reached 927.000. The health system proved insufficient to cope with the growing demand, leading to a situation where the bodies of the deceased were left in the streets due to the system's lack of response and capacity.

At that time, in Guayaquil, videos and testimonies of corpses abandoned in the streets{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-02|title=Cadáveres abandonados en las calles: el coronavirus golpea la ciudad de Guayaquil|url=https://www.publico.es/internacional/coronavirus-ecuador-cadaveres-abandonados-calles-covid-19-golpea-ciudad-guayaquil.html|website=www.publico.es}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-07-08|title=Cadáveres en las calles y un 56% más de muertos: la desesperación de Ecuador frente a la epidemia|url=https://www.xataka.com/magnet/cadaveres-calles-56-muertos-desesperacion-ecuador-frente-a-epidemia|website=Xataka}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-02|first=Abel|language=es|last=Gilbert|title=Muertos en las calles: la imagen que resume la crisis del coronavirus en Ecuador|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/internacional/20200402/muertos-en-las-calles-la-imagen-que-resume-la-crisis-sanitaria-en-ecuador-7914370|website=elperiodico}} reflected the critical situation the city was facing.{{cite news|access-date=2023-07-16|last=Cabrera|date=2020-04-15|first=José María León|issn=0362-4331|language=es-LA|periodical=The New York Times|title=En Ecuador se acumulan los cuerpos y crece el temor a que la cifra siga en aumento|url=https://www.nytimes.com/es/2020/04/15/espanol/america-latina/Guayaquil-coronavirus.html}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-01|language=es|title=Cientos de cadáveres sobre el asfalto de las calles de Guayaquil: "Estamos llenos de muertos por coronavirus"|url=https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2020/04/01/5e84d472fdddffd4618b45c6.html|website=EL MUNDO}} Many funeral homes ceased operations out of fear of contracting the virus, causing delays in the removal of bodies. It was estimated that some of these deaths were not related to the coronavirus, but due to the lack of medical analysis, the causes of death could not be confirmed. The scarcity of resources in low-income neighborhoods led to wakes being held at home, and many families had to wait for more than three days for the bodies to be removed.{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-03|language=es|title=Militares levantan 150 cuerpos que yacían en casas en Guayaquil tras caos por el coronavirus |url=https://diariodecuba.com/internacional/1585832599_15245.html|website=Diario de Cuba}}

File:Juan Carlos Zevallos, julio de 2020 (cropped).jpg

Health Minister Juan Carlos Zevallos stirred controversy by prioritizing the vaccination of his relatives against COVID-19 instead of focusing on priority groups. This occurred while Ecuador was facing a severe national emergency with thousands of deaths due to the pandemic, and corpses were piling up in the streets of Guayaquil.{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2020-04-02|language=es|title=CORONAVIRUS: Cadáveres en las calles en Ecuador|url=https://es.euronews.com/2020/04/02/coronavirus-cadaveres-en-las-calles-en-ecuador|website=euronews}} It was discovered that doses intended for COVID-19 patients were diverted to vaccinate Zevallos' family members at private centers.{{cite news|access-date=2023-07-16|language=es|periodical=BBC News Mundo|title=El escándalo por la decisión del ministro de Salud ecuatoriano de vacunar primero a sus familiares contra covid-19|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-55830752}} Despite the complaints and calls for his resignation, Zevallos received strong support from President Lenín Moreno.{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2021-01-26|language=es|title=Lenín Moreno respalda al Ministro de Salud Juan Carlos Zevallos – En Vivo|url=https://www.multicanalcatamayo.com/lenin-moreno-respalda-al-ministro-de-salud-juan-carlos-zevallos/}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|language=es-MX|title=Zevallos tiene el respaldo del Presidente, dice Secretaria de Comunicación|url=https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/sociedad/zevallos-respaldo-presidente-moreno/|website=Primicias}} However, due to pressure from the National Assembly, he ultimately resigned from his position.

The Attorney General's Office requested precautionary measures to prevent Zevallos from leaving the country.{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|date=2021-02-27|language=es|title=Exministro Juan Carlos Zevallos salió del país este sábado; se habían pedido medidas para evitarlo|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/ecuador/renuncia-ministro-de-salud-en-medio-de-criticas-y-plan-de-vacunacion-nota-2/|website=El Universo}} Despite these measures, it was revealed that Zevallos had allegedly escaped to Miami.{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-16|language=es-EC|title=Exministro de Salud, Juan Carlos Zevallos, salió del país luego de su renuncia y cinco denuncias|url=https://www.vistazo.com/actualidad/nacional/exministro-de-salud-juan-carlos-zevallos-salio-del-pais-luego-de-su-EGVI225001|website=www.vistazo.com}}

Since Lenín Moreno assumed the presidency, Ecuador has experienced a significant increase in insecurity,{{Citation |work=Human Rights Watch |title=Ecuador: Events of 2022 |date=2023-01-12 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/ecuador |access-date=2023-11-28 |language=en}} as the homicide rate has risen from 5.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017 to 20 per 100,000 in 2022. According to security expert Fernando Carrión, this situation results from decisions made by Moreno's government: "The Ministry of Justice, which managed prisons, was eliminated, as well as the coordinating Ministry of Security, the Ministry of the Interior responsible for security, and the National Council for the Control of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances. All of this was consolidated into a single ministry called the Ministry of Governance, and budgetary resources were substantially reduced."{{Citation |title="Narcotráfico en Ecuador", con Fernando Carrión |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC4SrrIi7rY |access-date=2023-11-28 |language=en}} Due to these measures, Ecuador went from being the second safest country in the region to one of the most violent and dangerous in Latin America. In 2023, Paco Moncayo, the then Minister of Security under President Guillermo Lasso, stated, "Moreno dismantled the country's security system."{{Cite web |title=www.ciudadelatacungaonline.com |url=https://www.ciudadelatacungaonline.com/noticia/?id=9818 |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Ciudad de Latacunga online, noticias nacionales, internacionales. |language=es}}

Due to Lenin Moreno's budget cuts, the elimination of ministries and security coordination, as well as the dismissal of public workers, including those responsible for the control of the penitentiary system, one of the bloodiest prison uprisings in Ecuador's history occurred in 2021, known as the Ecuador Prison Massacre of 23 February 2021.{{Cite web |title=Ecuador's interior minister quits over deadly prison riots |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/6/ecuadors-interior-minister-quits-over-deadly-prison-riots |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-23 |title=Ecuador prison riots kill dozens of inmates |url=https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20210223-ecuador-prison-riots-kill-more-than-50-people |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=France 24 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-24 |title=Ecuador President Declares State of Emergency Following Deadly Prison Riots |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/americas_ecuador-president-declares-state-emergency-following-deadly-prison-riots/6202469.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}

The inmate uprising in Ecuador, which left at least 116 dead, worsened the penitentiary crisis in the country.{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Ecuador's prison riot: Drug cartels, overcrowded cells and a bloodbath |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/09/30/ecuador-prison-riot-cartels/ |access-date=November 28, 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-24 |title=Dozens Killed in Prison Uprisings in Ecuador |website=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/24/dozens-killed-prison-uprisings-ecuador |access-date=2023-11-28 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Kimberley |title='We are all suffering': What's going on inside Ecuador's prisons? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/18/we-are-all-suffering-whats-going-on-inside-ecuador-prisons |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Three massacres were recorded in prisons during that period, resulting in a total of nearly 240 fatalities. Ecuador had 65 prisons with an official capacity of 30,000 people, but the prison population exceeded these figures, reaching around 39,000 individuals, of which nearly a sixth of the inmates in Ecuador’s prisons have not been sentenced.{{Cite news |date=2023-07-10 |title=Nearly a sixth of Ecuador's prisoners held without sentence, census shows |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/nearly-sixth-ecuadors-prisoners-held-without-sentence-census-2023-07-10/ |access-date=2023-11-28}} There was a shortage of internal guards, with only 1,500 across the entire country and an additional need for 3,000 according to experts. The major penitentiaries were located in Latacunga, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, with the latter hosting a large prison complex housing one-third of the country's inmates. The penitentiary crisis was compounded by violence generated by gangs linked to international drug trafficking, primarily from Mexico and Colombia, competing for power both inside and outside the prisons. These gangs operated from within the prisons as "central criminal commands." Approximately one-third of the inmates had ties to drug trafficking. Simultaneous uprisings occurred in four prisons in February, resulting in 79 dead inmates.{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2021-02-24 |title=Dozens dead after Ecuador prison riots sparked by gang fights and escape bid |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/dozens-dead-after-ecuador-prison-riots-sparked-by-gang-fights-and-escape-bid |access-date=2023-11-28 |issn=0261-3077}} Authorities attempted to regain control of the prisons with the assistance of the military.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Malcolm |date=2021-10-05 |title=Ecuador prison riot: 118 killed as gang violence spirals out of control in Latin America's jails |url=http://theconversation.com/ecuador-prison-riot-118-killed-as-gang-violence-spirals-out-of-control-in-latin-americas-jails-169233 |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}

Ina Papers Case.{{Cite web |last=Ángel |first=Ronald |date=2022-02-15 |title=Ecuador: The scandalous case that affects Lenín Moreno and for which the Prosecutor's Office carries out raids |url=https://www.elciudadano.com/en/ecuador-the-scandalous-case-that-affects-lenin-moreno-and-for-which-the-prosecutors-office-carries-out-raids/02/15/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=El Ciudadano |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Rafael Correa affirms Moreno INA papers investigation led to Facebook page block |url=https://www.radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/188349-rafael-correa-affirms-moreno-ina-papers-investigation-led-to-facebook-page-block |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=www.radiohc.cu |language=en}} This involves a corruption scandal in which bribery or "kickbacks" and money laundering amounting to 76 million dollars were allegedly managed,{{Cite web |last=Wadhwa |first=Tanya |date=2023-02-26 |title=Bribery charges to be filed against former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno |url=https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/02/26/bribery-charges-to-be-filed-against-former-ecuadorian-president-lenin-moreno/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=Peoples Dispatch |language=en-US}} involving Lenín Moreno and his family in relation to an offshore company named Ina Investment Corporation. According to the investigation, this company was founded by Moreno's brother, Edwin Moreno, in Belize, a tax haven known for its tax benefits for foreign companies.

According to information published on inapapers.org,{{Cite web |title=INA Papers - Los documentos sobre la corrupción presidencial en el Ecuador |url=https://inapapers.org |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=INA Papers |language=en-US}} the name "Ina" would be an acronym formed by the last three letters of the names of Lenín Moreno's daughters: Karina, Cristina, and Irina. Additionally, the investigation has linked Xavier Macías Carmigniani and María Auxiliadora Patiño, close friends of Moreno and his wife Rocío González, to the offshore company.

It has been discovered that Ina Investment Corporation carried out various transactions, such as the purchase of furniture in Switzerland and the acquisition of an apartment in Spain.{{Cite web |title=Ecuador: Opposition Seeks Investigation into Alleged Acquisition of Luxury Apartment in Spain by Front men For President :: Latin America Current Events & News |url=https://latinamericacurrentevents.com/ecuador-opposition-seeks-investigation-into-alleged-acquisition-of-luxury-apartment-in-spain-by-front-men-for-president/40178/ |access-date=2023-08-12}} The invoices were issued in the name of Edwin Moreno and María Auxiliadora Patiño. Two addresses associated with the transactions have also been identified: one corresponds to Xavier Macías Carmigniani's house in Guayaquil, and the other is related to the oil company Sertecpet, owned by Eduardo López, a friend of the Moreno Garcés brothers.

The Ina Papers case has generated significant political repercussions and social unrest in Ecuador, leading to requests for investigations and appearances before the National Assembly and the Office of the Attorney General of the Ecuadorian State. As a result of the investigation, charges of bribery have been filed against Lenín Moreno, his wife Rocío González, his daughter Irina, his brothers Edwin and Guillermo, as well as 36 other individuals.

In February 2023, the Attorney General of the State, Diana Salazar, reported that the Ina Papers case had expanded and that relevant information had been obtained from Panama through international legal assistance. Subsequently, in March 2023, the charges were formally presented in a hearing, where the Prosecution requested preventive detention for the suspects, citing the risk of flight. However, the judge decided to apply less restrictive precautionary measures, such as periodic appearances before the National Court of Justice and a travel ban.

In April 2023, prosecutors requested preventive detention for Lenín Moreno, Rocío González, Irina Moreno, and seven other individuals involved in the case.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title=Ecuador: Prosecutors Request Preventive Detention of Former President Lenín Moreno |url=https://slguardian.org/ecuador-prosecutors-request-preventive-detention-of-former-president-lenin-moreno/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=Sri Lanka Guardian |language=en-US}} It was reported that ten of the implicated individuals, including Moreno, did not comply with the periodic appearances before the court, leading to a request for Interpol notification for their location and arrest.

The Ina Papers case continues to unfold, and it is expected that further investigations and legal proceedings will shed more light on the alleged corruption and bribery activities involving Lenín Moreno and his family. These accusations have had a significant impact on Ecuador's political and social sphere, raising questions about transparency and ethics in the exercise of power.

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team had been investigating a meeting between former Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and President Moreno in Quito in 2017. Moreno talked with Manafort about removing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and his extradition to the United States.{{cite news |title=Paul Manafort reportedly tried to make a deal with Ecuador to hand over Julian Assange |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/04/manafort-tried-to-make-deal-with-ecuador-on-wikileaks-assange-report.html |publisher=CNBC |date=3 December 2018}}{{cite news |date=11 April 2019 |title=This simmering political clash may have led to Julian Assange's ouster from Ecuador's embassy |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/former-ecuador-president-says-assange-arrested-for-exposing-corruption-2019-4}}{{cite news |date=5 April 2019 |title=Julian Assange to be kicked out of Ecuadorian embassy: WikiLeaks |work=Deutsche Welle |url=https://www.dw.com/cda/en/julian-assange-to-be-kicked-out-of-ecuadorian-embassy-wikileaks/a-48212020}}

File:Secretary Pompeo Holds Joint Press Conference with President Moreno (48336351591).jpg, 20 July 2019]]

File:President Trump Visits with the President of Ecuador (49529737493).jpg in February 2020]]

Following a June 2018 visit by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who agreed with President Moreno to improve the US-Ecuador relations which were strained under the presidency of Rafael Correa, Ecuador launched a security effort with the United States, including buying weapons, radar sets, six helicopters and other equipment, as well as cooperation with the U.S. that would include training and intelligence sharing.[https://www.foxnews.com/us/ecuador-says-it-is-launching-security-effort-with-us/ Ecuador says it is launching security effort with US]. Fox News. Retrieved 3 August 2018. Pence and Moreno also spoke about Julian Assange.

In August 2018, Ecuador withdrew from ALBA, a regional bloc led by Venezuela and Cuba, in a bid to further distance itself from that country's socialist state and to be more "independent" of organizations that are trying to impose "specific views" on Latin America's social and political issues.[https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/ecuador-leaves-venezuelan-run-regional-alliance/ Ecuador leaves Venezuelan-run regional alliance]. 23 August 2018. The Seattle Times. Retrieved 24 August 2018.

In January 2019, Moreno supported Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó's claim to the Presidency of Venezuela, thus moving Ecuador away from its previous support of Nicolás Maduro.{{Cite web|url=https://usoas.usmission.gov/oas-member-states-issue-joint-statement-on-venezuela/|title=OAS Member States Issue Joint Statement on Venezuela|date=24 January 2019|website=U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States|language=en-US|access-date=14 October 2019}}

In early-2019 the IMF approved a $4.2bn loan for Ecuador.[https://www.enca.com/business/imf-approves-42bn-loan-ecuador/ IMF approves $4.2bn loan for Ecuador]. Tuesday 12 March 2019.

In April 2019 the World Bank approved the Social Safety Net Project for Ecuador.[http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/04/04/the-world-bank-approves-a-us350-million-loan-to-strengthen-the-social-safety-net-in-ecuador/ The World Bank Approves a US$350 Million Loan to Strengthen the Social Safety Net in Ecuador]. 4 April 2019.

After imposing new restrictions on Julian Assange, who had been given political asylum in Ecuador's London embassy since 2012,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/mar/28/julian-assange-internet-connection-ecuador-embassy-cut-off-wikileaks|title=Ecuador cuts off Julian Assange's internet access at London embassy|first=Jon|last=Henley|newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 March 2018|access-date=24 December 2018|via=www.theguardian.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/oct/14/julian-assange-to-regain-internet-access-in-embassy-base|title=Julian Assange to regain internet access at embassy base – reports|website=TheGuardian.com |date=14 October 2018|access-date=10 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/es/len%C3%ADn-moreno-assange-puede-seguir-gozando-del-asilo-mientras-cumpla/a-43988539|title=Lenín Moreno: "Assange puede seguir gozando del asilo, mientras cumpla" - DW - 30.05.2018|website=DW.COM|access-date=24 December 2018}} on 11 April 2019, Ecuador revoked his asylum, with Moreno saying Ecuador had "reached its limit on the behaviour of Mr Assange", allowing the Metropolitan Police to arrest him in the embassy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47891737|title=Julian Assange: Wikileaks co-founder arrested in London|work=BBC News|date=11 April 2019|access-date=13 April 2019}}

By mid-2019, he moved Ecuador's diplomatic position closer to the United States as he allowed the United States to use a military airstrip on the Galápagos Islands to monitor drug trafficking and illegal fishing.

During the coup d'état that took place in Bolivia in 2019, led by Jeanine Áñez, a shipment of weapons and war ammunition from Ecuador was introduced into Bolivia.{{cite web |last=Belaich |first=Fabio |date=2021-06-11 |title=Bolivia: El gobierno afirma que Ecuador envió armas al país pocos días después del golpe de Estado |url=https://www.nodal.am/2021/06/bolivia-el-gobierno-afirma-que-ecuador-envio-armas-al-pais-pocos-dias-despues-del-golpe-de-estado/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=NODAL |language=es-ES}}{{cite web |date=2021-07-20 |title=Bolivia muestra las armas enviadas por Argentina y Ecuador tras el golpe de estado |url=https://www.independentespanol.com/noticias/america-latina/bolivia-municiones-argentina-ecuador-golpe-estado-b1887590.html |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Independent Español |language=es}} This led to an inspection to determine the route of said shipment. According to the commander of the Bolivian Police, Colonel Jhonny Aguilera, statements from authorities in 2019 have been collected, confirming the undertaking of a trip on that date to introduce weaponry. Additionally, it was revealed that the military attaché of Bolivia in Ecuador at that time was responsible for managing the shipment on a C-130 aircraft. Authorities hope to determine the quantity of weaponry and tear gas that arrived in the country, as well as the intended purpose for their use. It is detailed that Ecuador delivered 5,000 hand grenades GL-302, 500 sound and flash grenades for outdoor use, 2,389 long-range projectiles caliber 37 mm, and 560 short-range projectiles caliber 37mm.

Moreno maintained a majority approval rating throughout his term as vice president. In late March 2012, his management was approved by 91% of Ecuadorians.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vicepresidencia.gob.ec/el-91-de-ecuatorianos-apoya-la-gestion-del-vicepresidente-lenin-moreno/|title=El 91% de ecuatorianos apoya la gestión del vicepresidente Lenín Moreno|website=www.vicepresidencia.gob.ec|access-date=15 April 2021}}

Moreno enjoyed a popularity rating as high as 77% shortly after his election in 2017. His approval dropped slightly to around 69% by the start of 2018, before dropping to 46% by mid-2018 and further fell to under 27% by mid-2019, in May 2020, it registered 16% approval.{{Cite web|url=https://cuencahighlife.com/morenos-approval-rating-tumbles-as-popular-concern-grows-over-border-violence/|title=Moreno's approval rating tumbles as popular concern grows over border violence – CuencaHighLife|website=cuencahighlife.com|date=May 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=14 October 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/05/ecuador-votes-to-limit-presidents-terms-in-blow-to-rafael-correa|title=Ecuador votes to limit presidents' terms in blow to Rafael Correa|agency=Associated Press|date=5 February 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 October 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2019/04/11/lenin-morenos-new-economic-policy|title=Lenín Moreno's new economic policy|date=11 April 2019|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=14 October 2019|issn=0013-0613}}. After the 2019 Ecuadorian protests and mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moreno reached an all-time low popularity, reaching only 5% of approval by early 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/desgaste-institucional-ocaso-funciones-100942.html|title=Desgaste institucional en el ocaso de las funciones|website=www.expreso.ec|access-date=15 April 2021}} Moreno left office with an acceptance rate of only 9%, according to a survey by the firm Cedatos. As a result of his sharp shift to the right as president, Moreno has a higher approval rating among those who voted for Guillermo Lasso (20%) than those who voted for Moreno himself (5%), although he is now disapproved of by both groups.{{cite tweet|number=1307063611723055106|user=AmericaElige|title=Ecuador, Atlas Político poll:...|date=18 September 2020}}

Moreno's low popularity ratings led to him buying followers on social media{{Cite web |date=2019-09-22 |title=Las cuentas fake de Lenín Moreno en Twitter: vergüenza para Ecuador |url=https://elestado.net/2019/09/22/las-cuentas-fake-de-lenin-moreno-en-twitter-otra-verguenza-para-ecuador/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=El Estado.Net |language=es}}{{Cite web |title=Twitter: el "diálogo" de los ministros también es con falsos seguidores |url=https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/politica/ministros-twitter-tambien-falsos-seguidores/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Primicias |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2018-01-29 |title=Moreno 3er político con más seguidores falsos, según el New York Times |url=https://republicadelbanano.com/2018/01/29/moreno-3er-politico-con-mas-seguidores-falsos-segun-el-new-york-times/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Prensa República del Banano |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2018-02-21 |title=Por qué los robots de pago son una amenaza para la libertad de información |url=https://rsf.org/es/por-qu%C3%A9-los-robots-de-pago-son-una-amenaza-para-la-libertad-de-informaci%C3%B3n |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=RSF |language=es}}{{overcite|date=April 2025}} to appear to have popular support,{{Cite web |last=Toussaint |first=Éric |date=2021-04-21 |title=Ecuador Election: From Rafael Correa to Guillermo Lasso via Lenin Moreno - The Bullet |url=https://socialistproject.ca/2021/04/ecuador-election-rafael-correa-guillermo-lasso-lenin-moreno/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Socialist Project |language=en-US}} according to an investigation by The New York Times.{{Cite news |last1=Confessore |first1=Nicholas |last2=Dance |first2=Gabriel J. X. |last3=Harris |first3=Rich |last4=Hansen |first4=Mark |date=2018-01-27 |title=The Follower Factory |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/01/27/technology/social-media-bots.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/01/27/technology/social-media-bots.html |access-date=2023-12-02 |issn=0362-4331}} It was reported that the Ecuadorian president would have been a client of the company Devumi, which had provided him with at least 55,000 fake accounts on the social media platform Twitter. This company offered followers and retweets in support of Moreno and his administration.

Moreno did not run again for re-election in the 2021 Ecuadorian general election.{{Cite news |date=2020-02-06 |title=Ecuador's trial of the century opens |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2020/02/06/ecuadors-trial-of-the-century-opens |access-date=2022-03-28 |issn=0013-0613}} On 4 March 2021 he was expelled from PAIS Alliance.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-04 |title=Alianza PAIS expulsa a Lenín Moreno, quien se había desafiliado de esa organización política |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/politica/desafiliacion-y-expulsion-de-lenin-moreno-de-alianza-pais-nota/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=El Universo |language=es}}

On 22 February 2023, Ecuador's attorney general Diana Salazar asked for charges to be brought against Moreno and 36 others over alleged corruption over the construction of one of the country's largest hydroelectric plants, built between 2009 and 2018. Moreno denied any accusations and said that Salazar's decision was a distraction from national issues.{{cite news |title=Ecuador prosecutor asks for corruption charges against former president |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ecuador-prosecutor-asks-corruption-charges-against-former-president-2023-02-22/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |work=Reuters |date=2023-02-23}}On 6 March 2023, a judge approved bribery charges to be brought against Moreno over the hydroelectric plant construction between 2009 and 2018. Moreno, who resides in Paraguay, denied the charges and called them "inhumane and arbitrary."{{cite news |agency=Reuters |title=Ecuador judge OKs bribery charges against ex-president over Chinese dam contract |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ecuador-judge-oks-bribery-charges-against-ex-president-over-chinese-dam-contract-2023-03-06/ |access-date=6 March 2023 |work=Reuters |date=6 March 2023}}

Moreno was investigated in 2022 for missing pieces from the Presidential Museum.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-25 |title=Ecuador prosecutor investigates ex-president over missing artifacts |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220725-ecuador-prosecutor-investigates-ex-president-over-missing-artifacts |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=France 24 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Ecuador Prosecutor Investigates Ex-President Over Missing Artifacts |url=https://thestreetjournal.org/ecuador-prosecutor-investigates-ex-president-over-missing-artifacts/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=The Street Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Prosecutor investigates ex-president over missing artifacts - POLITIKO |url=https://politics.com.ph/2022/07/26/prosecutor-investigates-ex-president-over-missing-artifacts/politiko-global/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=politics.com.ph |language=en-US}} According to National Assembly members, when Lenín Moreno left office, only 7,000 pieces out of the original 11,200 remained in the museum located in the government palace. Assemblywoman Pamela Aguirre Zambonino urged the attorney general to investigate the case and not let the accusations be forgotten.{{Cite web |title=Denuncia a Lenin Moreno ante Bienes de Carondelet |url=https://www.asambleanacional.gob.ec/es/blogs/pamela-aguirre/77713-denuncia-lenin-moreno-ante-bienes-de |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador |language=es}} The estimated value of the missing museum pieces exceeds 2 million dollars and included objects received as gifts from foreign leaders to Ecuador, as well as other historical items from the country.

At the end of his term, Moreno left Ecuador to reside in the United States with his daughter Irina, who was already living in the country, serving as the Ecuadorian representative to the United Nations. In North America, Moreno became a speaker at the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University (FIU). Later, he was appointed by the President of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, to serve as Commissioner of this organization in the city of Asunción, Paraguay, where he began to reside upon taking office as OAS Commissioner.

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{{commons category|Lenín Moreno}}

• [http://www.vicepresidencia.gob.ec/ VicePresidencia del Ecuador] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819151752/http://www.vicepresidencia.gob.ec/ |date=19 August 2017 }}
• [http://www.elfuturoesahora.com/ Sitio Web Oficial de Lenín Moreno]
• [https://www.cidob.org/biografias_lideres_politicos/america_del_sur/ecuador/lenin_moreno_garces Biography by CIDOB]
• [http://webtv.un.org/search/ecuador-president-addresses-general-debate-72nd-session/5582138736001/?term=&lan=english&cat=72nd%20Session&page=4 video: President Moreno's address] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702144815/http://webtv.un.org/search/ecuador-president-addresses-general-debate-72nd-session/5582138736001/?term=&lan=english&cat=72nd%20Session&page=4 |date=2 July 2020 }} to the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, 20 September 2017 (English version) (UN Web TV)

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