Ecuadorian prosecutors accuse seven people in Villavicencio assassination case

Ecuador's Prosecutor's Office has formally accused seven individuals of being the intellectual authors behind the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The prosecution, led by Ana Hidalgo, identifies the suspects as 'mediate authors' for their alleged roles in planning, financing, and coordinating the crime.

The accused include businessman Xavier Jordán, suspected of financing and planning the attack; former Interior Minister José Serrano, accused of providing sensitive information regarding the candidate's movements; and former lawmaker Ronny Aleaga, allegedly responsible for coordinating actions between political actors and the criminal group 'Los Lobos.' Other suspects include Daniel Salcedo, Wilmer Chavarría (alias 'Pipo'), leader of Los Lobos, and members Esteban Aguilar and Luis Arboleda.

Prosecutor Hidalgo has requested that preventive detention be maintained for those currently held and has asked for Interpol Red Notices to be issued for four suspects residing abroad. The legal proceedings follow the 2024 convictions of five material perpetrators. During recent remote hearings, incidents occurred where unidentified users interrupted the proceedings to insult the prosecutor and the victim's daughters.