Ecuador’s Most-Wanted Gang Leader ‘Fito’ Captured, President Noboa Confirms

Ecuador’s President Noboa announced the capture of Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, alias ‘Fito,’ the leader of Los Choneros gang, over a year after his prison escape. He faces U.S. charges related to drug trafficking and conspiracy. This capture follows a surge in violence and the president’s declaration of a state of emergency across multiple provinces.

Ecuador’s president announced on Wednesday that the notorious gang leader, known as “Fito,” was captured, bringing to an end a year-long search following his escape from prison. This escape had previously triggered a notable increase in violence across the country. President Daniel Noboa took to social media platform X to confirm that they have initiated the process of extraditing Fito to the United States, pending their response.

Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, aka Fito, had been on the run since early 2024 after he evaded custody. U.S. prosecutors, targeting him while he was still free, had charged Fito with multiple charges—seven in total—related to drug distribution as well as conspiracy and firearms offenses, which include smuggling of weapons. His past ties to high-profile assassinations further complicated his criminal profile, as he was a suspect in the murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August 2023.

When Fito made his escape from custody, Ecuador saw a spike in gang-related violence, with reports indicating about 20 fatalities during this chaotic period. In response, President Noboa declared a state of emergency across roughly a third of the country’s provinces, though the drug lord remained at large until this past Wednesday.

The relentless search for Fito concluded with the president announcing that elite military forces had taken him into custody—forces focusing on combating narcotics trafficking in the region. Los Choneros, the gang he leads, is known as Ecuador’s largest criminal organization, heavily involved in organized crime.

U.S. officials have linked Fito’s gang to Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa cartel, claiming they coordinated to dominate critical drug trafficking routes that connect South America to the U.S. For anyone who might have helped in Fito’s capture, Ecuador’s government had previously offered a substantial reward of $1 million. If convicted on all charges, Fito could be sentenced to life in prison, a significant development in the ongoing battle against drug-related crimes in Ecuador.

The recent capture of ‘Fito,’ the Los Choneros gang leader, marks a significant moment in Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with organized crime. Following his escape last year, violence surged, prompting emergency measures from the government. With the prospect of extradition to the U.S. in motion and a potential life sentence looming, this incident highlights the complex challenges Ecuador faces in combating gang violence and drug trafficking.

Original Source: globalnation.inquirer.net