Ecuador judge calls seven defendants to trial in Villavicencio assassination case

A judge in Pichincha has ordered seven individuals to trial for their alleged role as indirect authors in the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The defendants include former Interior Minister José Serrano, former assemblyman Ronny Aleaga, businessman Xavier Jordán, and Daniel Salcedo.

Also called to trial are leaders of the criminal organization Los Lobos: Wilmer Chavarría (alias Pipo), Esteban Aguilar (alias Lobo Menor), and Luis Arboleda (alias Gordo Luis). The judge ruled that there is sufficient evidence to support the prosecution's theory regarding the financing, planning, and execution of the crime.

The judicial proceedings were briefly interrupted by a security alert involving an abandoned backpack containing explosive materials at the North Judicial Complex in Quito. While the judge maintained preventive detention for the accused, three individuals—Jordán, Chavarría, and Aleaga—have been declared fugitives as they are currently outside of Ecuador.