Ecuadorian Drug Lord 'Fito' Extradited to the United States

Fito's extradition follows his recapture after a high-profile escape, highlighting the increasing influence of drug trafficking in Ecuador.

Ecuador's notorious gang leader, Adolfo Macías Villamar, infamous for his role in the drug trade, has been extradited to the United States to address serious allegations of drug and arms trafficking. Villamar, known by his alias "Fito," was apprehended in June after fleeing from a high-security prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence. His legal representation informed Reuters that he will enter a not guilty plea in a federal court in Brooklyn on Monday, where he faces multiple international charges.

Fito is recognized as the head of Los Choneros, a gang purportedly linked to powerful criminal syndicates from Mexico and the Balkans. His notoriety further escalated after he was allegedly connected to the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023. Los Choneros are blamed for transforming Ecuador into a nation plagued by violence, leading to one of the highest homicide rates in the region.

According to reports, approximately 70% of the world's cocaine trade transits through Ecuador's ports, strategically located between Colombia and Peru, the globe's top cocaine producers. Following his recapture in June, Fito was found hiding in an underground bunker located beneath an upscale property in the coastal city of Manta. Following his arrest, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa commended the security forces for their efforts and vowed to facilitate his extradition to the U.S.

On Sunday, the Ecuadorean prison authority confirmed that he was transferred from the prison in Ecuador to U.S. officials. His attorney, Alexei Schacht, confirmed that the case would proceed in federal court, where after the arraignment, Fito will be placed in an undisclosed correctional facility. This extradition is part of President Noboa's commitment to combating soaring crime rates in Ecuador, a commitment affirmed by a recent referendum allowing the extradition of Ecuadorian citizens. The president has also called for international military assistance from U.S., European, and Brazilian forces to combat the growing influence of criminal gangs in the region.