Ecuador has extradited one of its most feared criminal figures, José Adolfo Macías Villamar, widely known as “Fito,” to the United States just weeks after his dramatic recapture following a high profile prison escape. This extradition marks a major milestone in Ecuador’s efforts to dismantle organized crime and strengthen international cooperation in drug trafficking investigations.
Fito, the leader of the notorious Los Choneros gang, had been serving a 34 year sentence for drug trafficking, murder, and organized crime. In January 2024, he made international headlines after escaping from La Roca, a maximum security prison, sparking a wave of violence that prompted a state of emergency across the country. His escape shook the nation and exposed the extent of gang influence in Ecuador’s prison system and beyond.
After months on the run, Fito was recaptured on June 25, 2025, in a bunker beneath a luxury residence in Manta, Ecuador. His arrest was seen as a significant breakthrough for President Daniel Noboa’s administration, which has prioritized cracking down on drug related violence and restoring public order.
On July 20, Fito was officially extradited to the U.S., where he will face serious federal charges in New York, including international drug trafficking and weapons offenses. U.S. authorities had reportedly provided guarantees to Ecuador that Fito would not face the death penalty or life imprisonment, conditions required under Ecuadorian law for extradition.
His extradition is the first under Ecuador’s new constitutional changes approved by referendum, which allow for expedited transfer of nationals accused of transnational crimes. It reflects Ecuador’s growing resolve to combat narco violence and improve security cooperation with international partners, particularly the United States.
Fito’s case underscores the growing influence of transnational drug cartels in Latin America and the urgent need for coordinated global responses. As his trial unfolds in the U.S., it may uncover deeper insights into the operations of Los Choneros, their connections with Mexican cartels, and their role in fueling Ecuador’s internal instability.
This landmark move sends a strong message: Ecuador is no longer a safe haven for criminal empires. The fight against organized crime is now global, and justice is catching up no matter how powerful the criminal.