In a significant breakthrough in the fight against organized crime, Ecuadorian authorities, in collaboration with Spanish police, have captured Wilmer ‘Pipo’ Chavarria, the leader of Los Lobos, one of Ecuador’s most infamous drug-trafficking gangs. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa revealed that Chavarria had faked his own death in 2021, changed his identity, and continued to orchestrate criminal activities from Europe, including illegal mining and orchestrating murders. Both Ecuador and the United States have designated Los Lobos as a terrorist organization, with the gang estimated to have 8,000 members and significant ties to Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation cartel. The US Treasury sanctioned the group in June 2024, citing its role in escalating violence in Ecuador. The arrest marks a pivotal moment in President Noboa’s aggressive military campaign against narco-terrorism. This high-profile capture coincides with a national referendum on allowing foreign military bases in Ecuador, a move supported by the US, which has recently expanded its military operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has toured Ecuadorian military facilities, signaling strengthened bilateral cooperation. However, the US’s recent strikes on alleged narco-trafficking vessels have raised legal concerns, with critics questioning their compliance with international law. Ecuador, a major cocaine trafficking hub, has seen a surge in violence as rival gangs vie for control. The capture of Chavarria is seen as a critical step in curbing the influence of Los Lobos, which has been linked to some of the country’s bloodiest prison riots.