Background on Adolfo Macías Villamar, aka “Fito”
Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as “Fito,” is the leader of the notorious Ecuadorian drug trafficking organization, Los Choneros. He was wanted by the U.S. government for seven criminal charges, including homicide and drug trafficking. Fito had been serving a 34-year sentence for multiple offenses, including homicide and drug trafficking, when he escaped from Guayaquil prison in January 2024.
The Arrest
Ecuadorian authorities successfully captured Fito in the coastal town of Manta, Manabí province, where he was born. According to Ecuadorian newspaper ‘Primicias,’ Fito had been hiding in an underground bunker within a relative’s house in a neighborhood controlled by the criminal gang.
Operation Details
The operation, which lasted ten hours, involved police, military personnel, and intelligence agents. Ecuador’s Interior Minister, John Reimberg, praised the “impeccable” execution of the operation without any confrontations.
Reactions from Ecuadorian Leadership
Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, celebrated Fito’s arrest and used the opportunity to defend “Solidarity and Intelligence Laws,” a controversial security legislation criticized by the opposition. Noboa also acknowledged the law enforcement officers involved in the detention.
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Noboa stated, “More will fall, we’ll regain our country. There will be no mercy.” He also confirmed that Ecuadorian authorities would extradite Fito to the U.S. following his arrest.
U.S. Federal Charges Against Fito
The U.S. Fiscal Office in New York filed seven federal charges against Fito in early April, labeling him a “ruthless and prolific narcotrafficker.” The charges included conspiracy to distribute cocaine, trafficking arms, and using them for drug-related crimes.
According to the U.S. authorities, Fito employed Los Choneros members to commit serious acts of violence against law enforcement, Ecuadorian politicians, lawyers, prosecutors, and civilians in his name.
U.S. Embassy’s Statement
The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador congratulated the Ecuadorian government on Fito’s arrest through a statement on X (formerly Twitter). The embassy reaffirmed its support for Quito’s efforts to combat transnational crime in the region’s interest of security.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Adolfo Macías Villamar, aka “Fito”? Fito is the leader of Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most notorious drug trafficking organizations. He was wanted by the U.S. government for multiple criminal charges, including homicide and drug trafficking.
- Where was Fito captured? Fito was arrested in Manta, a coastal town in the Manabí province of Ecuador.
- What charges was Fito facing in the U.S.? The U.S. Fiscal Office in New York filed seven federal charges against Fito, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, trafficking arms, and using them for drug-related crimes.
- What was the nature of the operation to capture Fito? The operation, which lasted ten hours, involved police, military personnel, and intelligence agents. It was described as “impeccable” with no confrontations.
- How did the Ecuadorian and U.S. governments react to Fito’s capture? Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa celebrated the arrest and defended controversial security legislation. The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador congratulated the government on Fito’s capture and reaffirmed its support for combating transnational crime in the region.
