National Assembly Unanimously Impeaches Judiciary Council President Mario Godoy

Ecuador’s judiciary just lost its top administrator in a rare show of legislative unity.

What Happened

On Tuesday, February 18, the National Assembly voted 116–0 to censure and immediately remove Mario Godoy Naranjo from his position as president of the Consejo de la Judicatura (Judicial Council) — the administrative body that oversees Ecuador’s entire court system.

Godoy did not attend the session. The political trial was initiated by the Revolución Ciudadana (Citizens’ Revolution) bloc, the party of former president Rafael Correa, which accused Godoy of failing to address Ecuador’s massive judicial backlog, deteriorating court infrastructure, and inadequate staffing.

The unanimous vote — which crossed all party lines — signals that dissatisfaction with the judiciary’s performance has become a consensus issue in Ecuadorian politics.

Why He Was Removed

The Assembly cited “manifest ineffectiveness in the fulfillment of functions” under Article 131 of the Constitution. Specific complaints included:

• Court backlogs: Ecuador has over 500,000 pending cases in the judicial system, with some cases taking years to reach resolution
• Infrastructure failures: Multiple courthouses across the country operate with outdated technology, insufficient staff, and deteriorating physical conditions
• Failure to implement reforms: Godoy was appointed with a mandate to modernize the judiciary, but legislators argued progress was negligible

What Comes Next

An economist was immediately designated by unanimous vote as Godoy’s temporary replacement, while the Consejo de Participación Ciudadana y Control Social (Council for Public Participation and Social Control — CPCCS) begins the process of selecting a permanent replacement.

The CPCCS selection process typically takes 60 to 90 days and involves a public merit-based competition, though previous selections have been criticized for political interference.

What This Means for Expats

• Visa and residency cases move through the courts. If you’ve ever had a visa appeal, property dispute, or contract enforcement issue in Ecuador, you know the courts are slow. The removal of the judiciary’s top administrator could lead to reform — or to further disruption during the transition
• Property disputes are especially affected. Expats buying or selling real estate in Ecuador often encounter title disputes or contract issues that require judicial resolution. A more functional court system would directly benefit foreign property owners
• Watch the replacement process. The quality of Godoy’s successor will determine whether this was a meaningful reform moment or just political theater. A competent, reform-minded replacement could accelerate case processing and improve access to justice
• The unanimous vote is significant. When every party in the Assembly agrees on something, it usually reflects genuine public frustration. Ecuadorians — and expats — have been complaining about the courts for years

Sources: El Universo, Primicias, CuencaHighLife