US EditionEcuador Captures 'Fito', Leader of Los Choneros Gang
MANTA, ECUADOR, JUN 25 – Fito led Los Choneros, linked to Mexican cartels, and his escape caused riots and 20 deaths, prompting a $1 million reward before his recapture ended a 10-hour military operation.
- Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced the recapture of Jose Adolfo Macias, aka Fito, the leader of Los Choneros, on June 26, 2025, in Manta.
- In early 2024, Fito broke out of Guayaquil Regional Prison amid violent disturbances, sparking gang conflicts and leading authorities to impose emergency measures lasting two months in certain areas of Ecuador.
- Macias, sentenced to 34 years in 2011 for drug trafficking and murder, was found hiding in a hole beneath a kitchen counter during a 10-hour military operation.
- The government announced a reward of $1 million for information leading to Fito's capture, with Noboa indicating on social media that they are awaiting a response from the US regarding extradition requests.
- Macias's recapture may weaken Los Choneros, a gang labeled terrorist by Ecuador and classified as highly violent by the US, suggesting intensified efforts against organized crime.
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241 Articles
Ecuadornews: The government of Ecuador began yesterday the process to extradite to the United States José Adolfo Fito Macías Villamar, leader of the band Los Choneros dedicated to drug trafficking and with links to Mexican cartels, who was recaptured last Wednesday after being at large since January 2024, said Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo.
Ecuador reveals how notorious gang leader 'Fito' hid for 18 months after jailbreak
Ever since Ecuador’s most notorious gang leader vanished from his prison cell in January 2024, the mystery of his whereabouts has been the buzz of the nation. Authorities had issued an international arrest warrant for Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito,” and…
Ecuador Drug Lord Snatched in Raid - American Faith
Ecuadorian authorities, in coordination with U.S. law enforcement, captured one of the country’s most violent and powerful cartel leaders this week in a major blow to organized crime. Jose Adolfo “Fito” Macias, head of the Los Choneros cartel, was arrested while hiding in a bunker, according to Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Noboa announced the arrest on social media, crediting the success to a new wave of crime-fighting laws and a no-compro…
Drug lord ‘The Lion’ is found in trapdoor after daughter, 3, revealed hideout
WATCH the moment Ecuador’s most-wanted fugitive, a drug lord dubbed “The Lion”, is recaptured by police beneath a trap door. José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, had been on the run for a year-and-a-half after busting out of prison in January 2024, when his escape sparked a wave of violence in the country. Jam Press/@EjercitoECUJosé Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, was recaptured after a year-and-a-half on the run[/caption] The fugi…
RIO DE JANEIRO. One of Latin America's top cocaine kingpins has been arrested in an underground bunker at a luxury villa in Ecuador. To prevent Adolfo "Fito" Macías from escaping again, he will be extradited to the United States. - More will fall. We will take back the country, says Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
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