The Big Stories to watch this week in LATAM
Trump-Lula spat continues to escalate. US State Department is acting just like Maduro, and Ecuador extradites infamous gang boss to the US
LATAM Daily Wires brings you the stories to watch this week in Latin America and the big headline developments over the weekend. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you should.
Gang Boss Extradited to US to face Drug Charges
Infamous Ecuadorian gang leader Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias “Fito”, leader of Los Choneros, was extradited to the US on Saturday to face charges of drug and arms trafficking.
He expected to plead not guilty today in US federal court.
Ecuadorian officials blame Macías and Los Choneros for an explosion in violence over the last few years, saying the group has ties to organized crime groups in the Balkans and Mexico. According to U.N. data, More than 70% of all cocaine produced in the world currently passes through Ecuador's ports — shipped from Colombia and Bolivia.
Government officials also blame Los Choneros for the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023. Ecuadorian President Daniel Naboa has asked his US counterpart to declare the gang an “international terrorist group”, and publicly pleaded for US military bases in the country to help deal with rising insecurity.
Trump has so far rebuffed the requests.
US State Department swaps migrant prisoners for US detainees
Venezuela and the US on Friday engaged in a prisoner swap that finally released the more than 200 Venezuelan migrants US migration officials had detained and shipped to El Salvadoran mega-prison CECOT.
Republican officials and Venezuelan opposition members have often rightfully criticized Maduro for frivolous arrests of foreign nations under flimsy or imaginary charges to use as bargaining chips in prisoner swaps with the US.
Most of the Venezuelans detained at CECOT had been accused of being members of the “Tren de Aragua” without evidence. Many were later proven innocent of the charge, and the majority had no criminal record at all.
It would seem Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President Donald Trump have adopted the authoritarian and lawless tactics of the Maduro regime they have often criticized in the past.
“Game on” for Trump’s personal trade war with Brazil
Trump’s war of words (and threats) with Brazil continues. The US President had threatened trade tariffs for the South American country as well as sanctions on Brazilian officials over Brazil’s ongoing trial against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting a coup during the country’s most recent presidential elections.
Current Brazilian President Lula has rebuffed Trump publicly and aggressively, accusing the US of attempting to “interfere with Brazilian sovereignty.”
The spat has led to a popularity boost for the leftist president and has likely undermined Bolsonaro’s support within Brazil, even among right-wing former allies.
On Saturday, the US announced visa restrictions on Brazilian politicians who have criticized Bolsonaro, calling his trial “a witch hunt.”
Bolsonaro is currently under curfew, and is being monitored by a court-imposed ankle bracelet.
Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may have underestimated their ability to influence Brazil, which is the largest economy in Latin America. In addition, unlike Mexico, which has been quick to bow to Trump tariff threats, Brazil is not highly dependent upon the US as a trade partner.
You can also donate a one-time gift via “Buy Me a Coffee”. It only takes a few moments, and you can do so here.
Hasta pronto, piratas!