Tiguerones leader 'Willy' living free in Spain despite Ecuador arrest warrant

William Joffre Alcívar Bautista, known as ‘Willy’, the alleged leader of the Tiguerones criminal gang, is living freely in Spain despite an active arrest warrant in Ecuador. The Tiguerones are designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Bautista gained international notoriety following a January 2024 takeover of a live television broadcast in Guayaquil. In response to such violence, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared an internal armed conflict against over 20 gangs, including the Tiguerones. Authorities have linked Bautista to terrorism, car bombings, contract killings, and extortion.

Although Spanish police arrested Bautista in Catalonia in October 2024, he was released in December 2025 after Ecuador failed to provide the human rights and security guarantees required by Spanish authorities for his extradition. In a recent interview, Bautista denied involvement in the television station attack, stating his current activities involve a used car business in Colombia and potential business ventures in Spain.