Wilmer Chavarria, one of Ecuador's most wanted drug traffickers, was arrested in Malaga, Spain, on Sunday. Known as 'Pipo', he is believed to have faked his death in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, obtained a new identity and relocated to Spain.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa confirmed the arrest, describing it as the result of a joint operation with Spanish police. Chavarria is the alleged leader of Los Lobos, a drug trafficking group with around 8,000 fighters. The organisation was recently designated a terrorist entity by the United States and has been linked to political assassinations in Ecuador.
According to President Noboa, Chavarria coordinated drug shipments, ordered assassinations and ran extortion rackets against gold mines in Ecuador from Spain. Los Lobos is also accused of working closely with Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Ecuador, once one of the most peaceful countries in South America, has seen a surge in homicides and violent crimes as it becomes a key transit point for cocaine from neighbouring Colombia and Peru. Drug trafficking gangs have attacked presidential candidates, municipal officials and journalists in battles over ports and coastal cities.
The capture comes as Ecuadorians vote on a referendum that includes a question on amending the constitution to allow foreign countries to run military bases in Ecuador. President Noboa argues this reform is necessary to enhance anti-drug cooperation with countries like the United States and increase pressure on drug traffickers.
