Roberto Carlos Álvarez, known as “Manager,” will face Ecuadorian justice after being found responsible for the murder of 11 soldiers during an operation against illegal mining in May, the governments of Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) jointly reported. According to the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry and various official statements from both countries, this extradition is in response to a request made based on a red alert by Interpol.
The confirmation of the extradition came after the statement of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who announced on the social network Noboa that Álvarez had imposed restrictions on freedom after a court hearing earlier this month, stressing that cooperation between the National Intelligence Center, the National Police and the Emirati authorities was crucial in carrying out the arrest and surrender operation. As the media detailed, the president stressed: “He believed he was untouchable because previous governments had protected him, he was wrong. The Cárcel del Encuentro awaits him.”
According to the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry statement, the request for international arrest that led to Álvarez’s arrest was based on the Interpol Red Alert, which allowed both countries to cooperate in the extradition process. The governments of Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates released a joint document asserting that this outcome reflects their mutual commitment to protecting the rule of law and strengthening international cooperation to combat transnational organized crime.
Álvarez, whose pseudonym is “Manager,” will be named head of the Border Command, a group that emerged from a breakaway from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), according to Ecuadorian authorities. As reported by President Noboa and confirmed by official statements, the group led by Álvarez is blamed for an armed attack on Ecuadorian troops in Alto Punino in May, where the military was conducting operations to combat illegal mining.
Álvarez’s extradition was officially announced this Monday. It was also announced that day that the defendant had lost his bail condition following court proceedings held earlier this month in the United Arab Emirates. Noboa made the decision public and highlighted the coordination between the Ecuadorian security and intelligence services and their Emirati counterparts, which allowed the process to be carried out without setbacks until the transfer to Ecuadorian territory.
The Border Commandos organization led by Álvarez has been identified by Ecuadorian authorities as a direct affiliate of the FARC, involved in serious crimes, including murders and activities related to illegal mining. According to the Ecuadorian government, the extradition of this target of high strategic importance sets a precedent for international cooperation and the prosecution of transnational crimes in the region. Both Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates emphasized in their joint statement that the arrest and extradition process contributes to the consolidation of policies aimed at stopping the spread of criminal organizations.
President Noboa emphasized in his statements broadcast by the media that the operation was carried out thanks to the collaboration of various national and foreign institutions and that the transfer of Álvarez to Ecuador complied with both internal judicial demands and bilateral security agreements. Through this process, both Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates reaffirmed their willingness to promote common strategies to combat crimes that cross borders and threaten regional stability.
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