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

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa announced that gang leader “Fito” has been recaptured after more than a year on the run. Fito, the leader of Los Choneros gang, escaped custody in early 2024 and was wanted on drug charges. His escape sparked a wave of violence and led to a state of emergency in various provinces. Fito is now in custody, and if convicted in the U.S., could face life in prison.

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa announced on Wednesday that the country’s most-wanted fugitive, Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, better known as gang leader “Fito,” has been re-captured. Fito’s imprisonment had been a central issue since he escaped from custody over a year ago, which notably resulted in a sharp increase in drug-related violence throughout the country. President Noboa detailed this development on X, stating, “We have done our part to proceed with Fito’s extradition to the United States, we are awaiting their response.”

Macias Villamar, the notorious leader of the Los Choneros gang, had fled custody in early 2024. He is wanted by American prosecutors, who have charged him with multiple offenses including cocaine distribution and conspiracy, along with firearms-related crimes. His criminal record includes being a suspect in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was tragically shot in Quito back in August 2023.

Following his escape, gang-related violence soared in Ecuador, resulting in at least 20 fatalities within days. President Noboa was compelled to declare a state of emergency across nearly a third of Ecuador’s provinces in a desperate attempt to restore order. The search for Fito extended for several months, culminating on Wednesday with the announcement he is now being held by special military forces tasked with combating narcotics trafficking.

Fito’s gang, Los Choneros, is known to collaborate with Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa cartel, controlling essential drug trafficking routes from South America to the United States. In a significant move, the Ecuadorian government had previously set a one million dollar reward for information leading to Fito’s capture. If he is ultimately convicted, he is facing a potential life sentence in prison. This recent turn of events underscores the ongoing struggle Ecuador faces in tackling organized crime and narcotics trafficking.

Overall, the capture of Fito may represent a pivotal moment in Ecuador’s fight against the violence and criminal activities plaguing the nation, as authorities grapple with the daunting task of dismantling powerful drug networks that continue to operate unchecked.

The recapture of Fito marks a significant development in Ecuador’s ongoing battle against organized crime. With his escape previously prompting a spike in violence, authorities are now hopeful that his apprehension might help restore some level of security. The nation’s leadership remains focused on addressing the broader issues of narcotics trafficking and gang violence, with an eye on Fito’s potential extradition to the United States and a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.

Original Source: globalnation.inquirer.net