World · Latin America · 5 hrs ago
Tiguerones Leader ‘Willy’ Is Free in Spain as Ecuador Seeks Extradition
William Joffre Alcívar Bautista, known as Willy, is living free in Spain while Ecuador continues to seek his extradition.
Ecuadorian authorities accuse him of leading the Tiguerones gang and of involvement in serious crimes, including a 2024 takeover of a live television broadcast in Guayaquil.
Willy denied involvement in that attack in a 2026 interview.
The Tiguerones became a powerful gang in Ecuador, involved in extortion and drug trafficking in Esmeraldas and parts of Guayaquil.
Spanish police arrested Willy in Catalonia in October 2024, and Spain agreed to extradite him if Ecuador provided guarantees about his safety and human rights.
Those guarantees did not arrive in time, so Spanish authorities released him in December 2025.
Ecuador’s government is still pursuing his extradition.
William Joffre Alcívar Bautista, known as “Willy,” is living free in Spain while Ecuador continues to seek his extradition.
Ecuador alleges that the Tiguerones leader masterminded a 2024 television station takeover and was involved in other crimes.
Spanish authorities arrested Willy in Catalonia in October 2024 and accepted two Ecuadorian extradition requests, subject to human rights and safety guarantees.
Spain released him in December 2025 after the guarantees did not arrive in time.
In a March 2026 interview, Willy denied involvement in the television attack and said he was involved in a used car business operating from Colombia.
- Who
- William Joffre Alcívar Bautista, known as “Willy,” the alleged leader of the Tiguerones.
- What
- He is living free in Spain as Ecuador seeks his extradition.
- When
- Spain released him in December 2025. Ecuador continues to pursue his extradition.
- Where
- Spain; he was arrested in Catalonia.
- Why
- Ecuador alleges his involvement in the 2024 television station takeover and other crimes. Spain required human rights and safety guarantees for extradition, but they did not arrive in time.
Ecuadorian government
Willy
Allegations
Ecuadorian government
Ecuador alleges Willy masterminded the television station takeover and was involved in car bombings, contract killings and extortion.
Willy
Willy denied involvement in the television news attack.
Extradition
Ecuadorian government
Ecuador continues to pursue his extradition.
Willy
Spain released him after required guarantees did not arrive in time.
The Tiguerones took over a live broadcast at a television station in Guayaquil.
Spanish police arrested Willy in Catalonia.
Spanish authorities released Willy after Ecuador’s required guarantees did not arrive in time.
Willy gave an interview to El Mundo and denied involvement in the television attack.
- Name
- William Joffre Alcívar Bautista, alias “Willy
- Gang
- Tiguerones
- Arrest
- October 22, 2024, in Catalonia
- Release
- December 2025, in Spain
- Extradition requests
- Ecuador made two requests, which Spain accepted subject to guarantees
Sources
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