Current:Home > ScamsU.S. sanctions powerful Ecuador crime gang Los Lobos and its leader "Pipo"-InfoLens
U.S. sanctions powerful Ecuador crime gang Los Lobos and its leader "Pipo"
View Date:2024-12-23 14:22:11
The United States has sanctioned Los Lobos, a powerful crime gang based in Ecuador with ties to violence across the country and drug trafficking in the surrounding region, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Thursday.
Sanctions were imposed on the trafficking organization and its leader, Wilmer Geovanny Chavarria Barre, who also goes by "Pipo," the Treasury said in a news release. U.S. officials have deemed Los Lobos the largest drug trafficking ring in Ecuador and said the gang "contributes significantly to the violence gripping the country." Its network includes thousands of members backed by Mexico's Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación — New Generation — and Sinaloa Cartel, which makes the gang particularly dangerous.
"Drug trafficking groups with ties to powerful drug cartels threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities in Ecuador and throughout South and Central America," said Brian Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, in a statement in the sanctions announcement. "As today's actions demonstrate, we steadfastly support Ecuador in its efforts to combat drug trafficking and counter the threat of drug-related violence."
The U.S. in February imposed similar sanctions on another organized crime group based in Ecuador — Los Choneros, as the country grappled with escalating gang violence in the wake of the disappearance of Los Choneros' leader, José Adolfo Macías Villamar, from his prison cell in early January. Los Lobos and Los Choneros have become rival forces.
At the time, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa designated almost two dozen crime gangs, including Los Lobos and Los Choneros, as terrorist groups and said a state of "internal armed conflict" had taken hold of the country, according to the U.S. Treasury. Recently, in May, Noboa declared a new state of emergency for seven of Ecuador's 24 provinces as a result of ongoing gang violence.
U.S. officials say Los Lobos emerged as a branch of hitmen working within Los Choneros, which rose to power independently in 2020 when a former Los Choneros leader's assassination left cracks in the gang's command structure. Los Lobos is accused in the assassination of Ecuador's 2023 presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, and gang members are said to be responsible for deadly prison riots in addition to drug trafficking, murder-for-hire and illegal gold mining operations.
They also provide security services for the Jalisco cartel that contribute to the cartel's stronghold over cocaine trafficking routes around the Ecuadorian port city Guayaquil, according to the Treasury. The U.S. State Department considers New Generation "one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world."
- In:
- Drug Cartels
- Drug Trafficking
- Sanctions
- Mexico
- United States Department of the Treasury
- Ecuador
- Crime
Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (278)
Related
- Isiah Pacheco injury updates: When will Chiefs RB return?
- Giraffe poop seized at Minnesota airport from woman planning to make necklace out of it
- What's plaguing Paris and why are Catholics gathering in Rome? Find out in the quiz
- Louisiana Republicans are in court to fight efforts to establish new Black congressional district
- FC Cincinnati player Marco Angulo dies at 22 after injuries from October crash
- Stock market today: Global markets advance in subdued trading on US jobs worries
- Migrants pass quickly through once impenetrable Darien jungle as governments scramble for answers
- Ranking MLB's eight remaining playoff teams: Who's got the best World Series shot?
- November 2024 full moon this week is a super moon and the beaver moon
- Taylor Swift's Eras Tour film passes $100 million in worldwide presales
Ranking
- Solawave Black Friday Sale: Don't Miss Buy 1, Get 1 Free on Age-Defying Red Light Devices
- Montez Ford: Street Profits want to reassert themselves in WWE, talks Jade Cargill signing
- Economic spotlight turns to US jobs data as markets are roiled by high rates and uncertainties
- This 50% Off Deal Is the Perfect Time to Buy That Ninja Foodi Flip Air Fry Oven You've Wanted
- Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
- Icy flood that killed at least 41 in India’s northeast was feared for years
- The job market was stunningly strong in September
- Vermont police launch manhunt for 'armed and dangerous' suspect after woman found dead
Recommendation
-
In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
-
Ivory Coast’s president removes the prime minister and dissolves the government in a major reshuffle
-
Pamela Anderson's bold no-makeup look and the 'natural beauty revolution'
-
Britney Spears' Dad Jamie Spears Hospitalized With Bacterial Infection
-
About Charles Hanover
-
How to make sense of the country's stunningly strong job market
-
Drake's new album 'For All the Dogs' has arrived: See the track list, cover art by son Adonis
-
Karol G honored for her philanthropy at Billboard Latin Music Awards with Spirit of Hope Award