Who is El Gerente, the accused mastermind of deadly ambush, arrested by UAE
For months, Roberto Carlos Alvarez Vera existed largely in intelligence files and court records, with little known publicly about him. To Ecuadorian authorities, however, he was a far more consequential figure: a fugitive known as “El Gerente” (the Manager), accused of leading a cross-border criminal group blamed for escalating violence along the Ecuador-Colombia frontier.He had been sought under an Interpol Red Notice issued at Ecuador’s request.That hunt has now ended in the UAE. Authorities here have arrested Alvarez Vera and initiated extradition proceedings to return him to Ecuador. On Monday, UAE announced the arrest of the Ecuadorian national following judicial cooperation between the two countries.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Alvarez Vera is accused of building and leading Comandos de la Frontera after the group emerged from dissident factions of Colombia’s now-disbanded FARC guerrilla movement. Ecuadorian security agencies say it evolved into a cartel-like network operating along the porous Ecuador-Colombia border, with alleged involvement in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal mining and money laundering.'High-value target'Authorities describe Alvarez Vera as a “high-value target”, alleging that he was directly involved in planning and directing violent operations that destabilised remote jungle regions critical to narcotics transit routes.Despite the scale of the allegations, little is known publicly about Alvarez Vera’s personal life. No official details regarding his age or early background have been released. Investigators, however, have linked him to a network of front companies and financial structures allegedly used to launder proceeds from criminal activity, according to Ecuadorian government and media reports. Members of his immediate family, including his wife and sons, have faced charges in Ecuador in connection with alleged money laundering tied to the group’s operations.Deadly ambushThe most serious allegation against “El Gerente” centres on a deadly ambush that shocked Ecuador earlier this year.On May 9, in the remote Alto Punino area of Orellana province, armed assailants attacked an Ecuadorian military patrol conducting operations against illegal mining. Eleven soldiers were killed in what authorities described as one of the deadliest attacks on the country’s armed forces.Ecuadorian prosecutors allege Alvarez Vera planned and ordered the ambush to protect the group’s drug trafficking and mining interests in the Amazon region.Alvarez Vera also faces multiple investigations in Ecuador for organised crime, drug trafficking, arms trafficking and asset laundering, according to official statements.On December 29, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced that Alvarez Vera’s temporary release on bail had been revoked and that he was being transferred to Ecuador to face prosecution.In a post on his official X account, Noboa said Alvarez Vera, whom he described as a high-value target , would return to answer for the killing of the 11 soldiers in Alto Punino. He credited Ecuador’s National Intelligence Centre, the National Police and cooperation with the UAE for the outcome.According to WAM, the governments of the UAE and Ecuador said the case underscores their shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating transnational organised crime, including narcotics networks. Both sides also emphasised the importance of maintaining effective channels of communication between their central authorities to strengthen judicial cooperation and bilateral relations.UAE arrests Ecuador national Roberto Carlos after Interpol's Red NoticeUAE extradites 2 wanted criminals to Belgium after Interpol alertSharjah Police extradite wanted Interpol fraudsters to Nepal, Uzbekistan
For months, Roberto Carlos Alvarez Vera existed largely in intelligence files and court records, with little known publicly about him. To Ecuadorian authorities, however, he was a far more consequential figure: a fugitive known as “El Gerente” (the Manager), accused of leading a cross-border criminal group blamed for escalating violence along the Ecuador-Colombia frontier.
He had been sought under an Interpol Red Notice issued at Ecuador’s request.
That hunt has now ended in the UAE. Authorities here have arrested Alvarez Vera and initiated extradition proceedings to return him to Ecuador. On Monday, UAE announced the arrest of the Ecuadorian national following judicial cooperation between the two countries.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Alvarez Vera is accused of building and leading Comandos de la Frontera after the group emerged from dissident factions of Colombia’s now-disbanded FARC guerrilla movement. Ecuadorian security agencies say it evolved into a cartel-like network operating along the porous Ecuador-Colombia border, with alleged involvement in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal mining and money laundering.
'High-value target'
Authorities describe Alvarez Vera as a “high-value target”, alleging that he was directly involved in planning and directing violent operations that destabilised remote jungle regions critical to narcotics transit routes.
Despite the scale of the allegations, little is known publicly about Alvarez Vera’s personal life. No official details regarding his age or early background have been released. Investigators, however, have linked him to a network of front companies and financial structures allegedly used to launder proceeds from criminal activity, according to Ecuadorian government and media reports.
Members of his immediate family, including his wife and sons, have faced charges in Ecuador in connection with alleged money laundering tied to the group’s operations.
Deadly ambush
The most serious allegation against “El Gerente” centres on a deadly ambush that shocked Ecuador earlier this year.
On May 9, in the remote Alto Punino area of Orellana province, armed assailants attacked an Ecuadorian military patrol conducting operations against illegal mining. Eleven soldiers were killed in what authorities described as one of the deadliest attacks on the country’s armed forces.
Ecuadorian prosecutors allege Alvarez Vera planned and ordered the ambush to protect the group’s drug trafficking and mining interests in the Amazon region.
Alvarez Vera also faces multiple investigations in Ecuador for organised crime, drug trafficking, arms trafficking and asset laundering, according to official statements.
On December 29, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced that Alvarez Vera’s temporary release on bail had been revoked and that he was being transferred to Ecuador to face prosecution.
In a post on his official X account, Noboa said Alvarez Vera, whom he described as a high-value target , would return to answer for the killing of the 11 soldiers in Alto Punino. He credited Ecuador’s National Intelligence Centre, the National Police and cooperation with the UAE for the outcome.
According to WAM, the governments of the UAE and Ecuador said the case underscores their shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating transnational organised crime, including narcotics networks. Both sides also emphasised the importance of maintaining effective channels of communication between their central authorities to strengthen judicial cooperation and bilateral relations.
What's Your Reaction?
