Ecuador prosecutors seek extradition for José Serrano in Villavicencio assassination case

Ecuadorian prosecutors have formally requested Interpol red notices and extradition proceedings for four individuals accused of involvement in the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The suspects include former Interior Minister José Serrano, Xavier Jordán, Ronny Aleaga, and Wilmer Chavarría, also known as ‘Pipo’.

According to the prosecution, Serrano is alleged to be an intellectual author of the crime, potentially sharing information regarding Villavicencio’s movements with the criminal organization ‘Los Lobos’. The investigation suggests a complex network linking political figures with organized crime.

The suspects are currently located in different countries: Serrano and Jordán are reportedly in the United States, Aleaga is believed to be in Venezuela, and Chavarría is in Spain. The prosecution has also requested that the judge declare these individuals fugitives, maintain pretrial detention for seven other accused individuals, and freeze their financial assets. The case involves seven people accused as indirect authors, including leaders of ‘Los Lobos’ such as Daniel Salcedo and others identified as ‘Lobo Menor’ and ‘Gordo Luis’.