Overview
- Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa announced the arrest of Wilmer ‘Pipo’ Chavarría, identified as the top figure of Los Lobos, during Sunday’s national vote on constitutional reform.
- Authorities say Chavarría faked his death, adopted a new identity, and operated from Europe, allegations that include directing killings, running illegal mining, and coordinating drug routes with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
- The government credited cooperation between Ecuadorian and Spanish police for the detention and said further procedural details, including extradition steps, would follow.
- Los Lobos have been implicated in prior investigations into the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in Quito.
- The referendum backed by Noboa puts to voters proposals to allow foreign military bases, end public financing for political parties, reduce the size of the legislature, and convene a Constituent Assembly.