Police in Ecuador have successfully apprehended Adolfo Macías Villamar, the nation’s most wanted drug lord, known as "Fito." He is infamous as the leader of Los Choneros, a notorious criminal organization tied to Ecuador's disturbing rise in violence and murder rates. Allegations against him also include orchestrating the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023. Law enforcement officials pinpointed his location to an underground bunker concealed beneath an upscale residence in Manta.
The operation, which lasted a grueling ten hours, involved both police and military forces, who systematically monitored and surrounded the three-story home in the Monterrey district. Upon storming the house, officers uncovered a trap door that led to the luxurious underground hideout, equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, a bed, and even a refrigerator, showcasing Fito's extravagant lifestyle. The main house included a gym and recreational space, typical of a high-class residence rather than a hideout for a criminal mastermind.
Fito complied without resistance during the arrest, and he was swiftly transported by air to Guayaquil, where he will serve time in one of Ecuador’s highest-security prisons. Visuals captured his arrival, showing him in casual attire while under tight security as he was escorted to a vehicle destined for La Roca prison.
President Daniel Noboa lauded the efforts of the security forces, declaring the successful capture a step towards extraditing Fito to the United States, where he faces serious drug trafficking charges. This recapture is particularly significant as the drug lord had previously escaped from La Regional prison in early 2024, an event that led to a nationwide emergency amid violent prison riots incited by the incident.
Fito's ascent within the Los Choneros gang occurred while he was serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug crimes, evidence of how organized crime has flourished even behind prison walls. His leadership has been marked by unsettling collaborations with international crime syndicates, specifically the Sinaloa cartel from Mexico, which has influenced local criminal tactics, mimicking the violent methods associated with Mexican cartels such as decapitation and severe mutilation.
In the lead-up to his escape, Fito even featured in a narcocorrido, a music video that glorified his life of crime, reinforcing his persona while still incarcerated. His previous jailbreak was a considerable embarrassment for President Noboa, whose electoral campaign included promises to combat the escalating threats posed by such gangs. Following Fito's recapture, Noboa asserted his determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks in Ecuador, signing laws that expand police authority, stating, "More [drug lords] will fall; we will regain control of the country."
The operation, which lasted a grueling ten hours, involved both police and military forces, who systematically monitored and surrounded the three-story home in the Monterrey district. Upon storming the house, officers uncovered a trap door that led to the luxurious underground hideout, equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, a bed, and even a refrigerator, showcasing Fito's extravagant lifestyle. The main house included a gym and recreational space, typical of a high-class residence rather than a hideout for a criminal mastermind.
Fito complied without resistance during the arrest, and he was swiftly transported by air to Guayaquil, where he will serve time in one of Ecuador’s highest-security prisons. Visuals captured his arrival, showing him in casual attire while under tight security as he was escorted to a vehicle destined for La Roca prison.
President Daniel Noboa lauded the efforts of the security forces, declaring the successful capture a step towards extraditing Fito to the United States, where he faces serious drug trafficking charges. This recapture is particularly significant as the drug lord had previously escaped from La Regional prison in early 2024, an event that led to a nationwide emergency amid violent prison riots incited by the incident.
Fito's ascent within the Los Choneros gang occurred while he was serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug crimes, evidence of how organized crime has flourished even behind prison walls. His leadership has been marked by unsettling collaborations with international crime syndicates, specifically the Sinaloa cartel from Mexico, which has influenced local criminal tactics, mimicking the violent methods associated with Mexican cartels such as decapitation and severe mutilation.
In the lead-up to his escape, Fito even featured in a narcocorrido, a music video that glorified his life of crime, reinforcing his persona while still incarcerated. His previous jailbreak was a considerable embarrassment for President Noboa, whose electoral campaign included promises to combat the escalating threats posed by such gangs. Following Fito's recapture, Noboa asserted his determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks in Ecuador, signing laws that expand police authority, stating, "More [drug lords] will fall; we will regain control of the country."
