Crime Ecuador's Notorious 'Fito' Faces US Justice on Drug Charges

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Ecuador's infamous gang leader, Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias "Fito," has been extradited to the United States. Facing charges of drug and arms trafficking, Macías was apprehended in June after escaping a high-security prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence.

 

In a twist of fate, Macías will stand before a US federal court this Monday, pleading not guilty, according to his lawyer. As the head of the notorious Los Choneros gang, Macías holds alleged ties to criminal masterminds across Mexico and the Balkans. He's also suspected of orchestrating the assassination of presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio in 2023.

 

The Los Choneros gang has left a dark mark on Ecuador, transforming the country from a tourist favourite into one with soaring murder rates. Alarming statistics reveal that over 70% of the world's cocaine now transits through Ecuador's ports, nestled between cocaine giants Colombia and Peru.

 

Authorities unearthed Macías in an underground bunker beneath a luxe home in Manta, swiftly transferring him to La Roca, a maximum-security stronghold. Following his capture, Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa applauded the country's forces and greenlit his extradition.

 

In a decisive move, Ecuadorians supported extradition in a referendum backed by President Noboa, committing to battling escalating crime. Earlier this year, Noboa conveyed to the BBC his ambition to enlist US, European, and Brazilian military forces in Ecuador's fight against gangs.

 

With Macías in US custody, the world watches as Ecuador takes bold strides to combat its crime crisis. Whether this extradition marks a turning point remains to be seen, but it undeniably sends a message of resolve.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from [source] 2025-07-22