Albanian mafia chief captured in Abu Dhabi; Noboa is most popular South American president; Large fire damages oil refinery; U.S. remittance tax considered

The man who Ecuadorian authorities say once controlled most cocaine shipments between Ecuador and Europe was arrested Monday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dritan Gjika, a 47-year-old Albanian, is wanted in at least seven European countries in addition to Ecuador.

Gjika, who is believed to be responsible for dozens of murders in Ecuador, Colombia and Europe, was arrested in a luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi in an operation coordinated between Ecuadorian National Police and Interpol. According to an unnamed source in Ecuador’s Interior Ministry, Gjika was located through his internet activities.

An image of Dritan Gjika posted on the Interpol website.

Gjika, who had two Interpol red notices, first entered Ecuador in 2009 on a temporary visa. According to the Ecuadorian Attorney General’s office, he led a powerful criminal network that operated in Ecuador, Colombia and Spain, transporting large quantities of drugs to European and Central American countries.

The organization Gjika led had a well-organized structure, including logistics, money laundering companies, as well as associates at ports in Guayaquil and Manta, who helped place cocaine in shipping containers through coercion and bribery.

Interior Ministry officials say extradition efforts are in progress for Gjika.

Noboa is most popular South American president
Daniel Noboa is the most popular president in South American, according to a survey conducted by the Argentine Consultora Opinión Pública. Noboa received a 52.1% approval rating from the 4,000 Ecuadorians who were surveyed, while Argentina’s Javier Milei was second at 49%. Uruguay’s Yamandú Orsi was rated third with a 48.8% rating.

Among the lowest-rated South American presidents in the Consultora poll completed on May 21, were Bolivia’s Luis Acre, 25.5%; Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, 20.1%; and Peru’s Dina Boluarte 19.8%.

In its poll comments, Consultora said Noboa’s rating “dispelled suggestions of irregularities” in his runoff victory over Correista candidate Luisa Gonzalez. “We believe that the election was fair and that the polling numbers confirm the legitimacy of the outcome.”

Esmeraldas refinery fire damage undetermined
The Energy Ministry says they have yet to determine the extent of damage from a Monday fire at the Esmeraldas refinery. Energy Minister Inés Manzano said the fire that began at a ruptured fuel tank and was contained within two hours.

“We know that the fire spread to nearby installations and technicians are on the scene evaluating the impact,” she said.

Due to the intensity of the flames and the possibility of explosions, nearby residents were evacuated shortly after the fire broke out. They were allowed to return to their homes by noon.

The refinery has been operating at 50% capacity since April 26, when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake damaged some of the facilities.

U.S. remittance tax considered
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that, if approved by the Senate, would place a 3.5% tax on money sent overseas by foreign nationals. The tax would apply to immigrants with permanent residence status or work visas, but not to U.S. citizens.

During debate, the proposed tax was reduced from 5%.

Immigrant advocacy groups say the tax will “punish” legal migrants who are helping their families back home. In Ecuador, remittances totaled $4.8 billion in 2024.

The tax is part of a larger tax bill that is now being considered by the U.S. Senate where its passage is uncertain.