The leader of one of Ecuador's largest drug-trafficking organizations was apprehended in Mexico City under serious allegations. Ángel Esteban Aguilar Morales, widely recognized as 'Lobo Menor,' had been sought for his role in the assassination of presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio.
According to Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg, Aguilar was arrested while operating under a false Colombian identity. Mexico's Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfunch confirmed that Aguilar was the subject of an Interpol red notice and was implicated in multiple criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and murder.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro referred to Aguilar as one of the world’s most infamous criminals, emphasizing the significance of this arrest in the ongoing battle against organized crime. This result represents a significant blow against transnational organized crime and confirms the effectiveness of trilateral cooperation between Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, he stated.
Aguilar’s capture stemmed from a coordinated effort involving Ecuador's naval and security forces, demonstrating a united front against the rise of violent gangs in the region. The murder of Villavicencio in August 2023, an ex-journalist and national assembly member, shocked the nation and led to increased scrutiny of the Los Lobos gang.
Velavicencio had been leaving a campaign rally when he was shot. Following his murder, several members of his suspected assailants, including then-gang leader Carlos Angulo, also known as 'The Invisible,' faced justice.
The Los Lobos gang is asserted to have deep connections with Mexico's Jalisco New Generation cartel and has been labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US, citing the widespread terror and violence it has unleashed on the Ecuadorian populace.
The geographical location of Ecuador, bordered by Colombia and Peru—major global cocaine producers—has made it a key transit corridor for narcotics, with an estimated 70% of cocaine production moving through its borders. The implications of Aguilar’s arrest may ripple through the underground networks that have plagued Ecuador for years.
