U.S. extradites ex-minister Serrano for alleged involvement in Villavicencio assassination

Former Interior Minister José Serrano, accused of participating in the plot to murder presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023, has been extradited to Ecuador from the U.S. Serrano, who served in the government of former president Rafael Correa for eight years, was deported Friday and promptly mocked by President Daniel Noboa as the newest “guest” of the country’s high security El Encuentro prison.

José Serrano

Villavicencio was shot Aug. 9, 2023, by six Colombian assassins after a campaign rally in Quito. The suspects were later murdered in prison.

Authorities allege that Serrano passed information to the Los Lobos criminal gang regarding Villavicencio’s campaign schedule.

Los Lobos is linked to two Mexican drug cartels.

“This event struck at the foundations of the rule of law, such as freedom of expression and the security of political participation,” lead prosecutor Ana Hidalgo said, adding that Serrano was part of a group, including other former government officials, that plotted Villavicencio’s assassination.

The attack on the presidential candidate took place 11 days before the first round of the special general elections after the National Assembly was dissolved in May 2023. Incumbent President Guillermo Lasso was eligible to run again but chose not to.

Serrano’s extradition was delayed by a U.S. judge who blocked Serrano’s removal arguing he may be tortured if returned to Ecuador. Serrano had been held in an immigration detention center in Miami for seven months following his arrest for having an expired tourist visa.

On Thursday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informed the court that it was overruling the judge’s order and that Serrano would be extradited based on criminal charges in Ecuador.