Fugitive drug lord recaptured after over a year on the run

In Ecuador, the fugitive drug trafficker José Adolfo Macías, known as 'Fito,' was recaptured after more than a year on the run. His arrest, announced by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, took place in Manta, his hometown. Macías had escaped from the Guayaquil Regional Prison in early 2024, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking. His escape remained a mystery to authorities until a military contingent arrived to transfer him and discovered him missing from his cell. Interpol had issued an arrest warrant for him following the escape, reflecting his status as a key figure in the drug trafficking world, wanted both in Ecuador and the United States. Macías led a notorious gang called Los Choneros, which has been linked to a vast network of crime involving drug and weapon trafficking. His gang was responsible for the distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine to international markets, primarily the United States. The U.S. government classified Los Choneros as one of the most violent gangs, further indicating its connections with powerful Mexican drug cartels. After his escape, Macías was known for his brazen lifestyle, having reportedly thrown lavish parties while imprisoned and maintaining operations from within jail. His recapture occurred in a surprising manner when Ecuadorian army officers found him hiding in a small cavity beneath a kitchen counter in a house. Video footage of the arrest showcased the moment he disclosed his full name to the officers. The day of the announcement of his recapture coincided with reports of another gang leader, Federico Gómez from a rival gang, Las Aguilas, escaping from an Ecuadorian prison, raising concerns about prison security and gang activity in the region. This incident emphasizes the ongoing struggle Ecuador faces concerning organized crime and its implications for national security, further complicating the tumultuous fight against narcotrafficking in the region.