When Freedom Isn’t Free: Is Conditional Release For an Ecuadorian Gang Leader A Ploy?

An alleged financier of Ecuador's prolific Los Choneros criminal gang was granted conditional release from state custody on Monday following his original arrest last Friday. The alleged criminal, identified as Pedro V or by his alias "Profe Vera," is required to make daily court appearances on weekdays and is banned from leaving the country as the case unfolds..A Ploy?.Profe Vera was captured during Operation Gran Fenix 36, which itself is a part of a series of operations consisting of series of raids launched by police throughout 2024 to crack down on narcotrafficking and other crimes conducted by the various gangs which President Daniel Noboa labeled terrorist organizations following the escape of infamous leader of Los Choneros Jose "Fito" Macias from prison in January and the widespread breakdown of security within Ecuador that came after the gang leader's escape. Following his arrest, Ecuadorian authorities identified Profe Vera as a ringleader and chief financier of Los Choneros whose criminal operations spanned approximately 30 years and was established as one of the nation's most prolific drug traffickers..Twenty-one others were arrested during the operation, including another high-value target identified as Alfredo O., who, according to authorities, is a known drug trafficker on a smuggling route ranging from Putumayo, Colombia, to Sucumbíos and Manabí, Ecuador..It is currently unknown why Profe Vera was approved for a conditional release as documents pertaining to the alleged criminal's first criminal hearing are currently unavailable for public viewing. Despite the lack of clarity regarding the conditional release, some have speculated the conditional release of Profe Vera may be the result of illicit deals with the Ecuadorian judicial system as previous cases of such deals have resulted in the the improper release of detained alleged criminals..These cases have undergone official investigations, with Ecuador's Attorney General Diana Salazar launching the 'Metastasis Case' which heavily focuses on corruption within Ecuador's judicial system and high government. This investigation has already borne fruit, with numerous accused of corruption opting for expedited convictions by pleading guilty to their alleged crimes in return for less time in prison..One such judicial official is Judge Emerson Curipallo, who was convicted for taking bribes offered by a notorious drug lord and close ally to Los Lobos by the name of Leandro Norero, whose death in a prison riot in 2022 ultimately led to the birth of the 'Metastasis Case.' Curipallo was responsible for the release of Jorge Glas and two trusted hitmen of Norero; following his conviction, the judge ordered a total of $16,560 USD in reparations alongside $200,000 USD and was sentenced to 40 months in prison..Glas' release ultimately led to a controversial raid on the Mexican embassy by Ecuadorian authorities following accusations Mexican officials sought to smuggle Glas out of the country on a Mexican plane intended to transport Mexico's ambassador. Since the raid, Mexico has filed a court case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in order to establish provisional measures and ensure consequences to the embassy raid. The case is currently ongoing, although provisional measures were rejected by the court in May..Others have suggested Profe Vera may have worked out a more favorable legal deal with Ecuador's judicial system, possibly offering to cooperate with authorities in dismantling Los Choneros or arresting figures within the criminal organization in exchange for less restrictions on the alleged criminal's freedom during the court process and the possibility of avoiding jail time completely..Turning such a high-profile target and one of Ecuador's most wanted alleged criminals would be a large boon for local authorities, who, with information gained by Profe Vera, could dismantle a number of criminal operations within the gang's structure or even finally track down Fito who remains free since his escape from prison. In exchange, Profe Vera would ultimately remain free or face a much smaller prison sentence..Critics of this theory state that if Profe Vera turned on Los Choneros authorities, he would wish to ensure his safety from reprisals launched by the gang which could include direct attacks against Profe Vera or their own interrogation of the ringleader..Some have suggested that the conditional release could be intended as bait for Los Choneros, as allowing a ringleader an ounce of freedom could lead authorities to further information about the criminal outfit's operations, promising a decisive blow for authorities against organized crime. This theory could materialize with visitations to Profe Vera at his home while under surveillance, the alleged ringleader visiting headquarters for the criminal outfit or their operations, or leaving Profe Vera susceptible to attacks by Los Choneros, which could ultimately lead the alleged ringleader to turn to authorities for support..The final theory offered by some suggests that Profe Vera may not be a criminal at all, possibly alluding to either an overstatement by authorities to suggest effective police work in catching a key figure within one of the country's most prolific gangs and securing popular support or a lack of evidence that would allow the detention of Profe Vera..However, these theories remain unconfirmed due to the lack of judicial documents shining a light onto why an alleged ringleader of one of the country's most dangerous gangs leaving theorists and analysts to rely only on previous accounts regarding Ecuador's judicial system and how such a system tackles organized crime..Regardless, Ecuador continues to struggle with internal security as gangs such as Los Choneros and their chief rivals, the criminal alliance known as "Second Generation," continue their war for control of the nation's criminal underworld between themselves and Ecuadorian authorities..The Metastasis Case.The Metastasis Case originally began in 2022 following the murder of Norero, with arrests being made in December 2023. Investigators searched Norero's phone, discovering evidence of high-ranking state officials cooperating with Norero while handing out favors in exchange for money, gold, prostitutes, apartments, and other luxuries. The sweeping anti-corruption investigation has shaken Ecuador to its core, with numerous other investigations being launched to investigate further cases of corruption within Ecuador's upper echelon. Among these cases is the "Purge Case," a case that focuses on corruption within Ecuador's legal system and resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals believed to have worked alongside criminals..Some have suggested the case was the catalyst for the country's ongoing security crisis, which erupted in January 2024. This theory largely revolves around Salazar's statement that the investigation would lead to "an escalation of violence" from criminal organizations. Others theorize that the outbreak of violence in Ecuador resulted from the escape of the notorious leader of Los Choneros, Jose "Fito" Macias, in January 2024..After Fito's escape, President Daniel Noboa declared a national state of emergency, mobilizing the military and establishing a curfew in order to hunt down the wanted criminal. Following the escape and subsequent mobilization, riots broke out in prisons located in El Oro, Loja, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Azuay, and Pichincha, where 177 prison guards were taken hostage by prisoners. Ecuadorian police freed those held captive in late January. After the outbreak of violence, President Noboa issued a presidential decree that recognized "the existence of an internal armed conflict," classifying the gangs as terrorist organizations..Since then, Ecuadorian authorities have stepped up their operations in an effort to address the country's abysmal security situation, launching international raids against criminal elements and capturing key leaders of the alliance of gangs known as "Second Generation," which reportedly enjoys support from Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as well as Los Choneros, which is allegedly supported by the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel..Ecuador is no longer seeking the arrest of Fito alone. On July 12, International Police (INTERPOL) issued a red notice for the escaped convict after months of the escaped convict evading capture by authorities. This notice allows further cooperation between INTERPOL and local authorities in regards to the capture of Fito, who many believe fled Ecuador for shelter in a foreign nation following the discovery of Fito's family and close lieutenants' arrival in Argentina days prior to his escape..While security crackdowns are targeting gangs and narcotics, the successful sentencing of a suspect in Ecuador's Metastasis Case showcases the country's continued efforts to also address organized crime and criminal organizations' ties to high-level officials within Ecuador's government. And it isn't just Ecuador's problem—between January and February 2024, Ecuador received visits by the commander of the United States Southern Command, the deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the US special presidential advisor for the Americas, and mayors of a number of European cities that have been top destinations for the cocaine that transits Ecuador. For Ecuador to win its fight against corruption, drug trafficking, and organized crime, it needs to facilitate commitments with the international community.