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Notorious Gang Leader Faces US Justice
José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as "Fito", leader of Ecuador's feared Los Choneros gang, has been extradited to the United States to face federal charges. The US Department of Justice accuses Macías of overseeing massive cocaine shipments into America while leading a criminal organization responsible for political assassinations and prison violence.
From Prison to Extradition
Macías was serving a 34-year sentence in Ecuador for multiple crimes when he escaped last year. After a nationwide manhunt and $1 million bounty, authorities recaptured him last month in an underground bunker. His lawyer confirmed the extradition, stating Macías will plead not guilty in Brooklyn federal court to drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Los Choneros' Reign of Terror
Operating since the 1990s, Los Choneros transformed Ecuador from tourist haven to one of Latin America's most violent countries. The gang dominates Ecuador's overcrowded prisons through corruption and intimidation, organizing crimes from behind bars. Under Macías' leadership since 2020, the cartel allegedly smuggled "thousands of kilos" of cocaine into the US while terrorizing civilians, police, and politicians.
Transnational Criminal Network
Los Choneros maintain partnerships with Mexican and Colombian cartels, controlling key drug routes through Ecuador's Pacific ports. Their influence extends beyond narcotics into illegal mining, arms trafficking, and extortion. The gang's violence peaked with the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio after he threatened to expose their operations.
Ecuador's Gang Crisis
Ecuador's murder rate quadrupled between 2021-2023 as gangs like Los Choneros battled for territory. President Daniel Noboa declared "internal armed conflict" in January 2024 following Macías' prison escape and subsequent gang attacks. This extradition represents a major victory for Noboa's administration amid ongoing security reforms.
