On November 27, 2025, Mario Godoy, president of the Consejo de la Judicatura (CJ), met with Giovanni Melillo, Italy’s national Antimafia and Counterterrorism prosecutor. The meeting was also attended by CJ members Magaly Ruiz, Alfredo Cuadros, and Fabián Fabara, as well as an official Italian delegation.
The main focus of the meeting was to strengthen bilateral cooperation and discuss strategies to address transnational organized crime. This issue has become more significant in recent years.
Italian authorities shared details about their country’s approach to fighting the mafia. The Italian model is considered one of the most effective systems worldwide for combating organized crime. Ecuador is looking to learn from this experience in order to improve its own institutional capacity against increasingly complex criminal organizations.
Mario Godoy emphasized the value of dialogue and collaboration with strategic partners. “This is a space to share experiences, understand how we operate, and receive input that this important visit can offer,” he said. He also acknowledged ongoing support from the Italian Embassy.
Giovanni Melillo presented key milestones in Italy’s fight against organized crime and highlighted the need for joint action: “Democracies are increasingly at risk and therefore have a duty not to waste time and unite efforts,” he stated.
CJ members discussed their own experiences in different areas and agreed that such meetings help build stronger strategies against criminal groups operating across borders.
Other attendees included Barbara Sargenti, deputy prosecutor; Giovanni Davoli, Italy’s ambassador to Ecuador; Paolo Di Sciuva, director of the Italo–Ecuadorian ITAJUS Program; Fabricio Cueva, advisor; Esteban Moscoso, Ecuador’s ambassador to Italy; and Cristina Granda, director for Europe.
