Santiago Ávalos murder case: five detained, teen placed in preventive internment in Quito

Santiago Ávalos, the 42‑year‑old finance manager of the Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA) in Quito, was shot by armed assailants on a motorcycle on 11 June 2026. The attack caused his vehicle to crash, killing him at the scene.

Investigations linked a group of suspects to the killing. Five adult men were arrested and a 17‑year‑old was placed in preventive internment. A judge ordered preventive prison for three of the adults, while the remaining two were barred from leaving Ecuador and required to report regularly to authorities. The teenager faces youth‑justice measures.

The prosecution identified Galo Osorio as the presumed indirect author, with María del Carmen Salcedo and Josselyn Villarreal named as alleged co‑authors. Juan Pablo Guaminga and Juan Carlos Guadalupe were cited as alleged accomplices. Evidence cited includes security‑camera footage, cellphone records, and other electronic data seized during the raids.