Suspects in Ecuador politician assassination extradited to US

QUITO: Ecuador on Thursday extradited to the United States two men linked to the 2023 assassination of a presidential candidate, along with an alleged gang member.

Fernando Villavicencio, a legislator known for his anti-corruption investigations, was polling in second place when he was shot dead at a campaign event in Quito, 11 days before the country's presidential election.

Businessman Daniel Salcedo and former police officer Ronald Herrera, accused of helping to plan the killing, were extradited along with Francisco Manuel Bermudez, an alleged member of the Los Choneros gang.

"The fight against crime does not end at our borders," Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa wrote on X.

Salcedo has been implicated in corruption cases in Ecuador and linked to organised crime, in addition to the alleged assassination plot.

Five other people have already been sentenced in connection with Villavicencio's killing, with some receiving prison terms of up to 34 years.

Washington considers Los Choneros a terrorist organisation, and its top leader is already behind bars in the United States.

In 2025, the US offered a reward of up to US$5 million for Bermudez, who has been charged by a New York court with promoting the import and distribution of cocaine.

Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of cocaine, and most of the product ends up in the US.

Right-winger Noboa's hardline security policies have failed to prevent drug-related violence, while homicide rates have soared in the South American country.