A Big Drug Boss is Caught in Spain

Wilmer "Pipo" Chavarria, the notorious boss of Los Lobos, has been arrested in Málaga, Spain. Chavarria, who had been hiding in Europe under a false identity after faking his own death, was still orchestrating his criminal empire from afar, including illegal mining and ordering hits.

Los Lobos: A Powerful Criminal Organization

• 8,000 members strong, Los Lobos is a major force in Ecuador.
• Both Ecuador and the US classify them as a terrorist group.
• The gang is linked to widespread violence in the country.

Ecuador's Strategic Role in Drug Trafficking

• Ecuador does not produce cocaine but is a key transit route due to its proximity to Peru and Colombia.
• This makes it a hotspot for drug trafficking and gang conflicts.

President Noboa's Crackdown on Gangs

• Daniel Noboa, Ecuador's president, has taken a hardline stance against gangs since taking office.
• The arrest comes as Ecuador votes on allowing foreign military bases to return, a move Noboa supports to combat what he calls "narco-terrorists."
• The US had a base in Ecuador until 2009.

US Involvement in the Region

• The US is actively targeting drug ships in the Pacific and Caribbean.
• However, there is debate over the legality of these operations, as the US has not provided proof of who was on the ships.