Prosecutors formally charge seven in 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Villavicencio

Ecuador’s Attorney General’s office has formally charged seven people in the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. Prosecutors say the seven were “masterminds, organizers and financiers” of the assassination.

Fernando Villavicencio

Villavicencio, a journalist and National Assembly member known for his anti-corruption investigations, was polling in third place when he was shot and killed at a campaign event in Quito 11 days before the 2023 presidential election.

Prosecutors announced on social media platform X that “the seven defendants were indirect perpetrators in the assassination,” adding that they were “central figures” in the murder plot although they were not present at the scene.

It said the charges follow more than two years of “extensive investigation.”

Those charged are former Interior Minister Jose Serrano, former National Assemblyman Ronny Aleaga, businessman Xavier Jordan, and four people linked with the Los Lobos criminal gang, including its suspected leader Wilmer Chavarria, who goes by the alias “Pipo”.

Prosecutors have asked Interpol to issue “red alert” international arrest warrants for Serrano, Aleaga and Jordan. Serrano, and Jordan are currently in the Miami area while Aleaga is believed to be in Venezuela. Serrano is being held in the Chrome Detention Center in West Miami after he was detained due to an expired visitor’s visa but his attorney says he could be released soon.

Jordan, who lives in North Miami, “financed and planned” the assassination, according to prosecutors. Serrano, who served in the government of former president Rafael Correa, is accused of providing the Los Lobos with information about Villavicencio’s campaign schedule. Aleaga coordinated “strategic actions to carry out the murder,” prosecutor Ana Hidalgo alleged in a filing.

Chavarria, also out of the country facing extradition proceedings in Spain, allegedly paid the Colombia shooters $1 million.

A former investigative journalist, Villavicencio reported receiving death threats from organized crime groups prior to his death and had asked the government for increased protection for him and his family.

Five other men, said to members of Los Lobos who provided support for the Colombian hit squad, have already been sentenced in connection with the assassination, with some receiving prison terms of up to 34 years. Of the six Colombians arrested at the scene, one died in a shoot-out with police while the other five were murdered in prison.

“This case took a long time to develop because of the murder of the Colombians and the murder of the police officer assigned to protect Villavicencio,” Hidalgo said. “In addition, two other people we wanted to interview in the investigation were murdered, making collection of evidence difficult.”

Hidalgo is unsure when the case will go to trial. By law, defendants charged with a crime in Ecuador must appear in person at trial. “We will await the results of our Interpol arrest requests,” she said, adding it’s possible that suspects already in custody could be tried separately.