Suspected intellectual author of Villavicencio murder captured in Mexico

Ángel Esteban Aguilar Morales, alias “Lobo Menor,” was arrested in Mexico City following a coordinated operation involving Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico. He is investigated as the alleged intellectual author of the 2023 assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

Key points

• The suspect initially identified himself as Colombian citizen Juan Carlos Montero Mestre.
• The arrest, named Operation “Jericó,” followed surveillance in Medellín and Itagüí, Colombia, before locating him in Polanco, Mexico City.
• The detainee was among those most wanted by Ecuador and had an Interpol Red Notice.
• He is linked as the leader of the organized armed group Los Lobos, with alleged transnational criminal connections.
• Following his capture, the individual was transferred to Colombian territory for extradition proceedings.
• Authorities are investigating his possible use of false Colombian documents and links to alias “Iván Mordisco”.

Why it matters

This capture highlights significant international security cooperation between Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador against transnational organized crime. It represents a major step in the ongoing judicial process related to the high-profile assassination of an Ecuadorian presidential candidate.