Summary
The leader of Ecuador's Los Choneros gang, Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito," was caught after escaping from prison 18 months ago. He will now be sent to the United States for charges related to drug trafficking and gun smuggling. This escape had previously caused significant unrest in Ecuador.
Key Facts
- Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito," led the Los Choneros gang and was arrested after 18 months on the run.
- He escaped from Guayaquil prison in January 2024, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for drug-related crimes and murder.
- After his recapture, Macias will be sent to the United States, where he faces charges for drug trafficking and firearms smuggling.
- President Daniel Noboa used social media to announce Macias’s capture and had earlier offered a $1 million reward for help in finding him.
- Following the escape, Ecuador experienced riots, bombings, and violence, leading to a 60-day state of emergency.
- President Noboa labeled 22 gangs, including Los Choneros, as terrorist groups.
- The US Department of the Treasury sanctioned Macias and Los Choneros in February 2024 for their involvement in drug trafficking and violence.
- Ecuador, once peaceful, is now a target for gangs due to its location near major cocaine-producing countries, leading to increased violence.
