Alias Comandante 7 captured in Colombia: Ecuador seeks extradition of Ecuadorian
Guido Fernando Rodríguez Vargas, alias Comandante 7, was detained in Soacha and is sought by Ecuador for organised crime and homicide.
Capture in Soacha of alleged cross-border link for Los Tiguerones
Guido Fernando Rodríguez Vargas, an Ecuadorian citizen known by the aliases Nébula, El 7 and Comandante 7, was detained in Soacha, a municipality in the Bogotá metropolitan area, according to expreso.ec. The operation activated bilateral coordination mechanisms to process his extradition to Ecuador.
The detainee was sought by Ecuadorian justice for alleged organised crime and homicide, and also had a red notice from Interpol against him.
Joint operation between Colombia and Ecuador
The capture was carried out in a coordinated manner by Colombia's National Police, Ecuador's National Police and Ecuador's National Intelligence Centre. Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella announced the operation and described Rodríguez Vargas as an alleged "criminal agitator" for Los Tiguerones in the border area between both countries.
Ecuador's Interior Minister, John Reimberg, reported on 11 September 2026 that alias Nébula had an alleged criminal history spanning more than ten years, during which he was allegedly linked to criminal structures and murders.
Alleged logistics link with FARC dissidents
According to Reimberg, the detainee allegedly played the role of a transnational logistics coordinator and operated as a link in the border area with the Central General Staff (EMC), a FARC dissidence commanded by alias Iván Mordisco.
"Allegedly, he facilitated corridors for illicit movement, transfer of weapons and criminal economies to sustain criminal activities in Ecuador," the minister stated.
De la Espriella also identified him as one of Los Tiguerones' main cross-border links, with alleged functions of administering illicit revenues intended for the logistics and weapons support of the organisation in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, and Nariño, Colombia. The Colombian president also linked him to an alleged network for laundering assets derived from drug trafficking and extortion.
"Colombia will not be a hideout for foreign criminals. We will strengthen international cooperation to pursue them, capture them and bring them before justice, wherever they are," De la Espriella stated.
Reimberg confirmed via his X account that Rodríguez Vargas remains in Colombian custody and will be extradited to Ecuador "very soon", without specifying a date.
Los Tiguerones: designated as terrorist organisation by the United States
Ecuadorian authorities consider Rodríguez Vargas a high-value target, although the allegations against him will need to be proven in the corresponding judicial proceedings.
Los Tiguerones emerged in Guayaquil as a faction of Los Choneros and later extended their activities to other provinces, particularly Esmeraldas. Their leader is William Alcívar, known as Negro Willy. The authorities attribute drug trafficking, extortion, murders and armed attacks to them.
On 9 September 2026, the United States designated Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organisation. According to State Secretary Marco Rubio, the structure maintains operations with Mexican cartels, to which it allegedly helps move and export illicit drugs. Rubio stated that the income obtained would finance attacks against civilians, members of the public forces and journalists.
The designation was announced during Rubio's visit to Ecuador and enables Washington to apply sanctions and other legal tools against the organisation and those who provide it material support.
The detention of alias Comandante 7 comes as part of strengthened cooperation between Ecuador and Colombia in response to criminal organisations that maintain operations on both sides of the border.
Source: Google News EC — Crime