Fugitive drug lord José Adolfo Macías Villamar escapes prison and faces U.S. indictment

In January 2024, José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as 'Fito,' escaped from a prison in Quito, Ecuador, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking. This incident prompted the Ecuadorian government to declare a 60-day state of emergency, indicating the seriousness of the situation and the challenge posed by violent criminal gangs in the country. Macías Villamar is the leader of Los Choneros, a notorious criminal organization characterized by its involvement in drug and weapon trafficking. Following his escape, he was indicted by U.S. federal prosecutors in New York City, who charged him with importing thousands of pounds of cocaine into the United States and conspiracy to smuggle firearms from the country. The indictment was part of a larger effort to combat transnational drug trafficking and involved accusations that Los Choneros collaborated with Mexican cartels. Federal authorities stressed that Macías Villamar led a network responsible for the distribution of massive amounts of cocaine flowing through various regions, including South America and Central America, before reaching the United States. In addition to the drug charges, there were also allegations of using hitmen and financial corruption to further the gang's interests. The Ecuadorian government, under President Daniel Noboa, classified Los Choneros as a terrorist organization due to its violent activities, which have contributed to a rise in crime rates, including homicide, in Ecuador. The president has implemented aggressive measures to restore order, which included deploying troops in areas plagued by gang violence. As of early February 2024, authorities raised the reward for information leading to Macías Villamar's capture to $1 million, underscoring the priority for law enforcement to recapture this fugitive leader, whose criminal organization remains a serious threat to public safety both domestically and internationally.