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

Ecuador’s President Noboa confirmed the capture of gang leader Fito, who had escaped custody in January 2024 and was responsible for a surge in violence. Fito faces serious charges, including drug distribution and conspiracy, and is linked to organized crime involving powerful cartel connections. A state of emergency was declared during his time on the run, which resulted in at least 20 deaths.

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa announced on Wednesday the capture of Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, widely known as Fito. Fito, who was the country’s most-wanted fugitive and a notorious leader of the Los Choneros gang, had escaped from prison over a year ago, igniting a violent wave of gang-related incidents across the nation.

On his account on X, President Noboa stated, We have done our part to proceed with Fitos extradition to the United States; we are awaiting their response. This is significant as American prosecutors had previously charged him in absentia with multiple serious offenses, including cocaine distribution and firearm-related crimes.

Fito’s escape in early January 2024 led to a spike in violence in Ecuador, with around twenty people losing their lives in the chaos. At the time, he was also suspected of being involved in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot dead in Quito in August 2023. To combat the unrest, Noboa had imposed a state of emergency in nearly a third of the country’s provinces.

The long search for Fito finally concluded on Wednesday, with Noboa confirming that special military forces focused on narcotics trafficking had apprehended him. This arrest comes at a critical time, as Macias Villamar leads the dominant criminal organization in Ecuador, Los Choneros, which is notorious for its ties to organized crime.

According to U.S. authorities, Los Choneros collaborated with the notorious Sinaloa cartel from Mexico, managing vital drug trafficking routes that connect South America to the United States. The Ecuadorian government had offered a reward of $1 million for credible information that could lead to Fito’s capture. If convicted of the charges against him, Fito could face a life sentence in prison.

The capture of Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, or Fito, marks a significant moment in Ecuador’s ongoing battle against organized crime. Following his prison escape and the ensuing violence, his arrest could potentially help stabilize the situation in the country. The collaboration between Ecuadorian and U.S. authorities highlights the international dimension of the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.

Original Source: globalnation.inquirer.net