Wilmer Chavarria: Ecuadorian drug lord who faked his own death and ordered assassinations is captured, says president

One of Ecuador's most wanted drug lords, who faked his own death and moved to Spain, has been captured in Malaga, the Ecuadorian president has said.

Wilmer Chavarria, believed to be the leader of drug trafficking group Los Lobos, was arrested on Sunday in the popular holiday destination in a joint operation with Spanish police, according to Daniel Noboa.

Chavarria, also known as "Pipo", faked his death in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to Spain after obtaining a new identity, President Noboa said.

While in Spain, he coordinated drug shipments, ordered assassinations and ran extortion rackets against gold mines in Ecuador, the president added.

Hunted 'in his very own hell'

On social media, Mr Noboa said Chavarria had "hid in Europe while ordering murders in Ecuador", adding: "Some gave him up for dead; we searched for him in his very own hell."

Interior minister John Reimberg said Chavarria was responsible for at least 400 deaths, and had managed criminal operations from prison between 2011 and 2019.

Los Lobos, which has around 8,000 fighters, was recently declared a terrorist organisation by US authorities.

The group has been linked to political assassinations in Ecuador and has also been accused of working closely with Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Key transit point for cocaine

Ecuador used to be one of the most peaceful countries in South America, but after becoming a key transit point for cocaine produced in neighbouring Colombia and Peru, violent crimes and murders have spiked.

Between January and September, Ecuadorian authorities seized more than 146 tonnes of drugs, down from 208 tonnes during the same period in 2024.

Violent deaths increased by more than 36% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025.

Drug trafficking gangs have attacked presidential candidates, civil officials and journalists as they fight for control over ports and coastal cities.

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Chavarria's capture came as Ecuadorians looked set to vote against changing the constitution to allow foreign countries to run military bases in the country.

The measure, which was backed by Mr Noboa, was rejected by nearly two-thirds of voters in a national referendum, with around 90% of votes counted.

The president had argued it would help increase anti-drug cooperation with countries like the US and put further pressure on drug traffickers.

In June, another Ecuadorian drug trafficker, Jose Adolfo Macias, also known as "Fito", was arrested after a year on the run.

Last year, five men, including two who were alleged to be Los Lobos members, were jailed for a total of more than 100 years for murdering presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

(c) Sky News 2025: Wilmer Chavarria: Ecuadorian drug lord who faked his own death and ordered