Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced Wednesday that Jose Adolfo Macias, the country’s most-wanted fugitive and leader of the powerful Los Choneros gang, has been recaptured after vanishing from prison in early 2024.
Macias, known by his alias “Fito,” was arrested in the coastal city of Manta, his hometown, according to officials cited by the Associated Press. President Noboa did not provide specific details about the operation but praised the police and military forces involved.
“My recognition to our police and military who participated in this operation. More will fall. We will reclaim the country. No truce,” Noboa wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
U.S. Extradition Request
Following Fito’s capture, Ecuador has formally requested his extradition to the United States, where he faces federal charges related to international arms and drug trafficking, Noboa confirmed. The U.S. sanctioned Los Choneros in 2024 due to its transnational criminal activity.
Fito’s Escape and Criminal Background
Fito was originally sentenced in 2011 to 34 years in prison for crimes including drug trafficking and murder. Despite his incarceration, he reportedly continued to exert control over Los Choneros and maintained significant privileges inside Guayaquil’s Regional Prison.
In January 2024, during a violent upheaval within Ecuador’s prison system, Fito mysteriously disappeared, sparking a nationwide manhunt and a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
His escape raised questions about corruption and the depth of gang influence inside Ecuador’s prison facilities. At one point, he was even seen in a video filmed inside the prison, delivering a message to the nation while flanked by heavily armed men. Reports also claimed he had access to alcohol, luxury items, and even held cockfighting matches behind bars.
What Happens Next
Fito is expected to face charges in a New York federal court, but his extradition depends on a response from the U.S. government. In the meantime, Ecuadorian authorities are signaling a broader crackdown on organized crime and corruption tied to the country’s powerful narco gangs.
President Noboa’s administration has pledged a zero-tolerance policy against organized crime following a sharp rise in drug-related violence across Ecuador in recent years.
