Notorious Drug Kingpin Wilmer Chavarria Arrested in Spain

Wilmer ‘Pipo’ Chavarria, one of Ecuador’s most wanted drug traffickers, was arrested in Málaga, Spain, on Sunday, four years after allegedly faking his death from COVID-19. Spanish and Ecuadorian police collaborated on the operation, leading to the capture of Chavarria, who reportedly continued to control a drug trafficking organization while living under an assumed identity in Europe.

Chavarria, the alleged leader of the criminal group known as Los Lobos (The Wolves), was apprehended while wearing a black-and-green tracksuit. Authorities released an image of him being escorted to a police vehicle by two officers. Los Lobos is a significant drug trafficking organization with an estimated 8,000 members, which was classified as a terrorist organization by the United States in September 2023.

Criminal Network and Faked Death

Chavarria is accused of orchestrating various criminal activities, including drug shipments and political assassinations in Ecuador. His family previously claimed he died in 2021 from a heart attack related to COVID-19, according to reports by the BBC. However, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa stated that Chavarria remained active in coordinating illegal operations while hiding in Spain.

In a post on social media platform X, Noboa expressed satisfaction with the arrest, stating, “Some wrote him off as dead; we hunted him down in his very own hell.” He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combatting transnational crime, thanking both the Ecuadorian and Spanish police forces for their efforts. “Today the mafias fall back. Today Ecuador wins,” he added.

Ecuador’s Rising Crime and Political Climate

Ecuador, once regarded as one of the most peaceful nations in South America during the early 2010s, has seen a troubling rise in violence and homicide rates linked to drug trafficking. Criminal organizations like Los Lobos have been implicated in attacks targeting political candidates, municipal officials, and journalists as they vie for control of drug routes in a country that serves as a transit hub for cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru.

The timing of Chavarria’s arrest coincides with a critical moment for Ecuador, as voters rejected a proposal on the same day to allow foreign nations to establish military bases within the country. This outcome represents a setback for President Noboa, who advocated for the measure as a means to enhance anti-drug initiatives and strengthen cooperation with countries like the United States.

Noboa has been vocal about the need for international collaboration to dismantle drug trafficking networks. In recent discussions with U.S. officials, he highlighted security and migration issues, showcasing a potential military base that could accommodate U.S. troops.

The successful capture of Chavarria marks a significant development in Ecuador’s ongoing battle against organized crime, underscoring the government’s commitment to restoring order and safety in the nation.