Mayor of Vinces arrested for money laundering: who is Alfonso Montalván Cerezo
Alfonso Montalván Cerezo, mayor of Vinces canton in Los Ríos province, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering linked to a network that moved USD 3.22 million.
Mayor of Vinces arrested in early hours of 28 October on suspicion of money laundering
Alfonso Montalván Cerezo, mayor of Vinces canton in Los Ríos province, was arrested in the early hours of 28 October on suspicion of money laundering, according to primicias.ec. Hours after his arrest, a message appeared on his Facebook account: "I have never let you down and I never will. I will return stronger."
According to the authorities, Montalván reportedly led a network that channelled proceeds from illicit activities between 2019 and 2026. The Public Prosecutor's Office states that his family circle would also be involved in these operations, which allegedly generated movements of approximately USD 3.22 million in the national financial system.
The Ministry of Interior added that Montalván allegedly used the company Constructora Aldrensa to channel these resources. The authorities are also investigating possible financial links with people connected to drug trafficking and criminal organisations such as Los Choneros and Los Lobos.
Two consecutive terms as mayor of Vinces
Montalván has served two consecutive terms as mayor of Vinces. In the 2019-2023 period he took office with the Fuerza Ecuador (FE) party, list 10. In the 2023 sectional elections he was re-elected supported by an alliance that included the CREO and SUMA movements.
According to the National Electoral Council (CNE), Montalván obtained 28,346 votes in that election, a result that made him the first mayor of Vinces to achieve re-election.
Local media describe him as an enthusiast of horses, roosters and powerboat racing, a competitive discipline involving motorised boats. In photographs published on his social media he often appears wearing a hat and leather boots, especially during horse rides.
Municipal management: urban regeneration and infrastructure works
His first administration was marked by urban regeneration projects, the construction of Vinces' new land terminal and the restoration of the old municipal market, according to Al Día de Los Ríos. During the second term priority was given to the maintenance and repair of pipes to reduce the risk of flooding as the El Niño phenomenon approached.
A prior incident: arrested in Cuenca for driving while intoxicated
In July 2025, Montalván was arrested in Cuenca following a breathalyser test that returned a reading of 0.88 grammes per litre of exhaled breath. The judge imposed a sentence of 10 days in prison at the Traffic Offenders Detention Centre, a fine of USD 626.66 and a reduction of 6.66 points on his driving licence.
Eight days after that arrest, the mayor offered a public apology. "This experience, in addition to being a legal punishment, represents a life lesson that will never be repeated," he stated at that time.
Source: Google News EC — Crime