Ecuador protests Spain’s release of gang leader it says led a 2024 attack on a Guayaquil TV station

Ecuador is protesting a Spanish court’s decision to release an alleged crime boss believed to have been the mastermind of an attack on a Guayaquil television station in January 2024.

William Joffre Alcivar, known as ‘Black Willy’

Ecuador had petitioned the Spanish government to extradite William Joffre Alcivar, commonly known as Black Willy, believed to be the head a of the criminal group Los Tiguerones. Alcivar was arrested in Spain with his brother Alex in October 2024 on terrorism charges.

Ecuadorean authorities accuse Alcivar and his brother of orchestrating car bombings, contract killings, extortion and a live on-air raid of TC Television’s studio in Guayaquil.

Spain’s High Court had authorized Alcivar’s extradition in June, provided that Ecuador guaranteed his safety in custody, but a spokesperson for the court said on Wednesday that Alcivar was released because Ecuador did not provide the requested guarantees.

“This person had two extradition requests and both were granted, but on the condition that Ecuador provide guarantees,” the court spokesperson said. “Ecuador had a deadline to submit them and has been repeatedly asked to do so. Several warnings were issued but the guarantees were not received. Alcivar was consequently released December 29.”

Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg said on Wednesday that the government had submitted all necessary documentation for Alcivar’s extradition. Criticizing the release of Alcivar, he said the process had faced unexplained delays and that Spain had repeatedly requested more information despite Ecuador’s provision of the documentation.

Reimberg said Ecuador’s foreign ministry was working to re-apprehend Alcivar and have him returned to Ecuador. Reimberg did not specify whether Alcivar’s brother was also released.

The 2024 attack on the TV station unfolded live for about 20 minutes, as 13 masked and heavily armed men stormed the studio, forcing staff to the floor. Police eventually rescued the hostages and the attackers surrendered. Following the TV station attack, Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared war on criminal gangs, labeling them terrorist groups.