Trinational operation ends with the escape of a leader
Ángel Esteban Aguilar, alias “Lobo Menor”, is no longer in the shadows. The alleged leader of the Los Lobos gang, wanted for the assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023, was arrested at the Miguel Hidalgo mayor’s office in Mexico City. Mexican authorities confirmed that he entered the country with false documents.
The capture was the result of a coordinated effort between the police of Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador. In their statements, the organizations highlighted the “speed” and “respect for human rights” during the operation. There were no shots fired or violence reported.
A heavy name on the red list
Aguilar was not just any criminal. He appeared with a red Interpol notice and was linked to a long list of illicit activities: drug trafficking, extortion and homicide. His arrest is, without a doubt, an important symbolic blow for Ecuador.
“His capture represents an important advance in the search for justice for the victims of violence,” said the Ecuadorian authorities.
But this is where my professional skepticism kicks in. Let’s celebrate the arrest, yes. But let’s remember that the real brains are rarely the ones that appear in mugshots. The Los Lobos structure surely has more heads.
The efficiency shown in this case contrasts with the usual slowness in high-profile investigations. One wonders: what international pressure or what change in priorities made this exemplary coordination possible? Timing always tells a parallel story.
For now, “Lobo Menor” has been transferred to Colombia. The judicial path has just begun. Justice for Villavicencio and his family has yet to be written.
