This significant arrest comes after Fito's dramatic prison escape, which incited nationwide chaos, leading to a state of emergency and violent gang activities.
**Ecuadorian Authorities Apprehend Notorious Gang Leader "Fito" Following Violent Escape**
**Ecuadorian Authorities Apprehend Notorious Gang Leader "Fito" Following Violent Escape**
Ecuador's President announces the capture of José Adolfo Macías, leader of the Los Choneros gang, amid ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and violence.
Ecuadorian security forces successfully apprehended José Adolfo Macías, commonly referred to as "Fito," on Wednesday, following a year marked by turmoil stemming from his daring escape from prison in January 2024. President Daniel Noboa confirmed the capture via social media, stating that preparations for Fito’s extradition to the United States are underway, as he faces drug trafficking and weapons smuggling charges.
At 45, Macías leads the notorious Los Choneros gang, a key player in Ecuador's burgeoning violence associated with organized crime. Earlier this year, he was indicted by a U.S. attorney from New York on multiple charges of cocaine distribution, emphasizing the international implications of his criminal activities.
Macías's escape from a Guayaquil prison sparked widespread violence and unrest across Ecuador. Shortly after he went missing, the government instituted a 60-day state of emergency, leading to riots within prisons and a spike in gang-related attacks, including kidnappings and bomb threats. In response to the escalating violence, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him and the Los Choneros organization in February.
Authorities tracked down Macías to a concealed underground bunker in Manta, located approximately 120 miles from Guayaquil. Video footage from the operation revealed the moment of his arrest, illustrating his capture by Ecuadorean police and military personnel, where he was seen shirtless and restrained, before being transported back to Guayaquil.
The urgency of combating gang violence was a central theme during Noboa's presidential campaign, where he pledged to restore order amid rising insecurity. In a recent social media post, he reaffirmed his commitment, declaring, “More will fall, we will reclaim the country. No truce.” The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador expressed support for the operation, congratulating local authorities on the successful capture of such an influential figure in organized crime.
