Ecuador’s most wanted suspect arrested in Connecticut for murder.

An Ecuadorian fugitive, wanted for a murder committed in 2011, has been apprehended in Connecticut. Law enforcement officials confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, stating that Richard Cabrera, also known as Ricardo Dionicio Cabrera-Erreyes, aged 50, was taken into custody on Tuesday in Oxford, Connecticut, following an extensive investigation that culminated in his identification by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Cabrera is accused of the stabbing death of a woman on November 24, 2011, in Lujo, Ecuador. This incident, which occurred approximately 3,000 miles away from where he was captured, has resulted in Cabrera facing serious charges of femicide in his home country. The case is particularly notable as it reflects the broader issue of gender-based violence prevalent in Ecuador, where femicide, defined as the killing of a woman or girl because of her gender, represents a significant problem. According to data from the United Nations, about 65% of women in Ecuador experience physical violence at some point in their lives, and a woman is murdered every 26 hours.

Cabrera eluded authorities for over a decade, living under an assumed identity in the United States. However, his capture was made possible through recent collaborative efforts between U.S. and Ecuadorian law enforcement agencies, a joint operation that highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime.

Following his arrest, Cabrera was charged with being present in the United States illegally and has since been placed in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorities expect him to be deported back to Ecuador, where he will face the charges against him.

In 2022, Cabrera was listed among Ecuador’s most wanted fugitives, underscoring the urgency of locating individuals accused of violent crimes. The U.S. Marshals Service described him as one of the country’s top priorities in their efforts to apprehend fugitives who have fled to foreign jurisdictions.

As the issue of femicide continues to garner attention globally, Cabrera’s case serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in Ecuador and the necessity for justice in cases of gender-based violence. Media News Source reports that this arrest may contribute to a broader dialogue around the enforcement of laws designed to protect vulnerable populations from violence.