Wilmer Chavarría, Leader of Ecuadorian Gang Los Lobos, Arrested in Málaga, Spain
Wilmer Chavarría, alleged leader of Ecuadorian gang Los Lobos, was arrested in Spain in a joint operation, marking a major success against regional organized crime.
- • Wilmer Chavarría was arrested in Málaga, Spain, living under a false identity after faking his death.
- • The operation was a collaborative effort between Spanish and Ecuadorian police.
- • Los Lobos is labeled a terrorist group with around 8,000 members involved in drug trafficking and violence.
- • The arrest coincided with constitutional reform plebiscite in Ecuador regarding tougher crime measures.
Key details
Wilmer Chavarría, alias "Pipo," the alleged leader of the Ecuadorian criminal gang Los Lobos, was arrested on November 17, 2025, in Málaga, Spain, in a joint operation conducted by Spanish and Ecuadorian police forces. This capture marks a significant blow to organized crime linked to drug trafficking and violent crimes in Ecuador, according to Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, who described Chavarría as the "most wanted criminal in the region."
Chavarría had been living under a false identity and had previously faked his death; reports had circulated that he died in 2021 from a heart attack related to Covid-19. However, authorities revealed that he continued to orchestrate criminal activities remotely, including illegal mining operations and orchestrating murders in Ecuador. The arrest was part of a broader crackdown on Los Lobos, a gang considered a terrorist organization by both Ecuador and the United States with approximately 8,000 members.
The timing of the arrest coincided with a critical plebiscite in Ecuador on constitutional reforms intended to strengthen measures against crime. Interior Minister John Reimberg, who was present during the operation in Spain, hailed the day as "historic" for Ecuador. The government’s response to rising violence includes proposals for increased military engagement and discussions on reopening foreign military bases in Ecuador, a contentious issue since the U.S. withdrawal in 2009.
Los Lobos has been linked to a sharp rise in violent crime in Ecuador, now a strategic transit point for cocaine trafficking despite not producing the drug. The increased U.S. military presence in the region supports efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
This arrest highlights intensified international cooperation against transnational criminal networks and reflects Ecuador's commitment to reducing gang violence and drug-related crime through joint law enforcement efforts with Spain and other partners.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.