Ask Onix
Ecuador captures Los Lobos gang leader in Spain after years in hiding
Ecuadorian authorities, with support from Spanish police, arrested Wilmer "Pipo" Chavarria, the leader of the notorious Los Lobos drug-trafficking gang, in Málaga on Monday, President Daniel Noboa announced. The operation marks a major blow to one of Ecuador's most powerful criminal organizations, which the U.S. and Ecuador designate as a terrorist group.
Years-long deception uncovered
Chavarria had evaded capture for years by faking his death in 2021, claiming he succumbed to a COVID-related heart attack, Noboa revealed. Under a new identity, he allegedly continued directing Los Lobos' operations-including illegal mining, drug trafficking, and contract killings-while hiding in Europe. Spain's National Police confirmed the detention in coordination with Ecuadorian officials.
Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg, present during the operation, called the arrest a "historic day" for the country in a post on X, emphasizing its significance in the government's crackdown on organized crime.
Los Lobos: A growing transnational threat
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Los Lobos in June 2024, describing it as a group with "thousands of members" fueling Ecuador's surge in violence. Estimates suggest the gang now counts 8,000 affiliates, making it one of the nation's most dominant criminal networks. Its influence extends beyond drug trafficking, with suspected ties to Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel and a role in orchestrating deadly prison riots.
Ecuador, though not a cocaine producer, has become a key transit hub for traffickers due to its proximity to Colombia and Peru. Rival gangs battling for control have driven homicide rates to record highs, prompting Noboa's administration to adopt a militarized approach against what it labels "narco-terrorists."
Broader geopolitical context
The arrest coincides with a national referendum in Ecuador on amending the constitution to permit foreign military bases-a policy reversed in 2009 under then-President Rafael Correa. Noboa has openly sought U.S. and European military support to combat gangs, aligning with Washington's expanding operations in the region.
In recent months, the U.S. has deployed troops and a naval strike force, including the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, to the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean. It has also conducted at least 20 strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, killing over 80 people. Critics argue these actions lack transparency and may violate international law, as the U.S. has not disclosed evidence about the targets.
Government's next steps
Noboa's administration is expected to leverage Chavarria's capture to bolster its campaign against organized crime, which includes military raids, prison reforms, and international cooperation. The referendum results, due later this week, could further shape Ecuador's security strategy amid escalating cartel violence.
"This is not just about one arrest-it's about dismantling the structures that allow these groups to operate with impunity."
President Daniel Noboa, in a statement to local media
