Ronald Herrera accepts extradition to the United States

Ronald Herrera, a former police intelligence agent and protected witness in the investigation into the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, has agreed to be extradited to the United States. The decision was made during a hearing before Ecuador’s National Court of Justice on September 9, 2026.

Herrera, who previously served in the Anti-Crime Investigation Unit (UIAD), provided critical testimony regarding the 2023 assassination of Villavicencio in Quito. In his statements, he implicated former Interior Minister José Serrano and Daniel Salcedo in alleged surveillance activities conducted against Villavicencio prior to the killing.

Beyond the assassination case, Herrera’s testimony included allegations of surveillance on political opponents, the planting of evidence during raids, and involvement in arms acquisitions linked to the Los Choneros criminal organization. While the acceptance of extradition is a formal step in the judicial process, it does not imply immediate transfer to U.S. authorities.