Ecuador's new vice president Maria Vicuna flashes a thumbs up as she leaves the National Assembly, in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Ecuador has chosen Vicuna to replace Jorge Glas, who was sentenced to 6 years in jail for his role in a bribery scheme involving the Brazilian company at the center of Latin America's biggest corruption scandal. (AP Photo/ Dolores Ochoa)
Republished January 06, 2018 - 4:18 PM
Original Publication Date January 06, 2018 - 3:46 PM
QUITO, Ecuador - Ecuador has chosen a new vice-president to replace Jorge Glas, who was sentenced to 6 years in jail for his role in a bribery scheme involving the Brazilian company at the centre of Latin America's biggest corruption scandal.
Lawmakers selected Maria Alejandra Vicuna in a vote Saturday. The 40-year-old psychologist previously served as interim vice-president and minister of urban development and housing.
Glas was convicted in December, becoming one of the highest-ranking leaders in the region to lose his post as a result of the Odebrecht scandal. The construction company has admitted to paying $800 million to politicians, their campaigns and political parties in order to secure lucrative public works contracts.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018