You've probably heard of Fito, Ecuador's most notorious gang leader, who was recently extradited to the United States. But authorities have just captured an Ecuadorian leader they say is even more powerful, even if you've never heard of him. A joint operation between Ecuadorian and Spanish authorities captured the summit Lobos Wilmer Chavarría, alias “Pipo”, in the Spanish city of Málaga, on November 16.
Ecuadorian officials say the Lobos have exceeded Choneros as the most powerful criminal group in Ecuador, and Pipo's capture is a major blow to the gang. But his arrest will likely lead to more violence, as Pipo's lieutenants and other high-ranking members vie for control of the organization. Conflicts between allies-turned-enemies have become commonplace as Ecuador enters a new phase of its war against gangs, defined by increasingly dispersed gang conflicts.
Transcription
| You've probably heard of Fito, Ecuador's most famous gang leader. But authorities have just captured an Ecuadorian leader they say is even more powerful, even if you've never heard of him. |
| Wilmer Chavarría, also known as “Pipo”, has just been arrested in Spain. From his refuge there, beyond the reach of Ecuadorian authorities, Pipo led the Lobos, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. |
| Pipo and the Lobos are major players in drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion. And they have strengthened in Ecuador in recent years. |
| Their power appears to have only grown since authorities captured the leaders of rival groups: Fito of the Choneros in June and Willy of the Tiguerones last year. These arrests led to record homicides because they sparked an internal war to replace these leaders. |
| After Pipo's capture, a similar process can be expected. |
| This is a process that has been replicated many times in Latin America. Eliminate a leader, and after periods of intense violence, new leaders emerge in their place. |
| Meanwhile, the factors that make Ecuador a crime hub – such as corruption, cocaine and a lack of opportunity – persist. |
| To learn more about the Lobos and Ecuador, visit www.insightcrime.org |
