Ecuador seeks Interpol red notice for 7 in Villavicencio assassination case

Ecuador's Attorney General's Office is seeking international cooperation to prosecute those allegedly involved in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The office has requested an Interpol red notice for seven individuals accused of mediate authorship in the killing.

The accused include Xavier Jordán, former minister José Serrano, former assembly member Ronny Aleaga, Daniel Salcedo, and the leaders of the Los Lobos gang: Wilmer Chavarría, Luis Arboleda, and Esteban Aguilar. During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors also requested that Jordán, Serrano, Aleaga, and Chavarría be declared fugitives, as they are reportedly located in the United States, Venezuela, and Spain, respectively. The office is pursuing their detention and extradition.

In addition to the red notices, the prosecution has requested the freezing of bank accounts and the prohibition of asset disposal for the accused. Judge Giovanny Freire is currently evaluating these measures to determine the validity of the requests and whether the case will proceed to trial.

This legal push occurs on the third anniversary of Villavicencio's murder, which took place on August 9, 2023, after a political rally in Quito. Five individuals have already been convicted as material perpetrators and accomplices in the case, highlighting the ongoing efforts to bring all responsible parties to justice.