Security forces stand guard inside Bellavista prison, a day after a deadly riot following a fight between rival gangs Los Lobos and R7 (Photo by Rodrigo Buendia/AFP via Getty Images)
Ecuador is experiencing a wave of violence that saw new incidents in different parts of the country this January 9, including the appearance of a group of hooded and armed men on live television broadcasts. Criminal gangs have launched actions and confrontations that have led President Daniel Noboa to declare that the country is in an “internal armed conflict” and to order Ecuador’s armed forces to carry out military operations to “neutralize” groups known as terrorists.
In addition to the recorded violent attacks, several high-profile criminal prison escapes were reported this Tuesday. According to the city’s mayor, John Vinueza, one of them is Fabricio Colón Pico, aka “Captain Pico” and alleged leader of the Los Lobos gang, who escaped from Riobamba prison.
Days earlier, the man was publicly identified by the Ecuadorian prosecutor, Diana Salazar, as suspected of participating in the alleged plot to attack her life and her family. On Wednesday afternoon, the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office Vinayi Impeachment hearing for “Captain Pico”.
Colón Pico was arrested on Friday, January 5 in Quito with a preventive detention order that he was serving in Riobamba city prison for his alleged participation in the kidnapping crime, which was confirmed by the prosecutor’s office. Along with Colon Pico, another 38 prisoners escaped, 12 of whom have been recaptured, the National Service for Comprehensive Attention to Adult Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI) told CNN.
According to police, Colon faces approximately 21 charges for various crimes, including: organized crime, illegal association, possession of unauthorized firearms, aggravated robbery, organization or control, intimidation, and the manufacture and trafficking of scheduled substances. Credit for. Authorities are offering a reward for information leading to his whereabouts.
Who is Los Lobos, the criminal gang of “Captain Pico”?
According to Insight Crime, Los Lobos, a gang that emerged as a dissident from Los Choneros, has become Ecuador’s second most important criminal organization with nearly 8,000 members. Since 2021, he has reportedly committed several violent episodes in Ecuadorian prisons and played a leading role in the disintegration of the security situation in Ecuador.
According to this source, the main characteristic of Los Lobos is that they are in charge of a federation of smaller gangs, including the Tigurones and the Chone Killers, as a result of the weakening of the Los Choneros gang.
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