Overview
- Spain's National Police detained Wilmer Geovanny Chavarría Barre in Málaga with assistance from Ecuadorian authorities, according to official statements.
- President Daniel Noboa said Chavarría faked his death in 2021, adopted a new identity and continued directing Los Lobos’ operations from Europe.
- Authorities accuse Chavarría of coordinating assassinations, extortion tied to illegal gold mining and drug trafficking in concert with Mexico’s CJNG.
- Ecuador’s interior minister says Chavarría is linked to at least 400 deaths and managed criminal activities from prison between 2011 and 2019.
- The capture follows U.S. actions against Los Lobos, including Treasury sanctions in June 2024 and a foreign terrorist organization designation reported in September 2024, and it coincided with Ecuador’s referendum on measures such as allowing foreign military bases.