**Ecuador's Notorious Drug Lord 'Fito' Arrested in Major Police Operation**

The arrest signals a hopeful turn in Ecuador's struggle against organized crime after a series of deadly incidents associated with drug trafficking.

Ecuador's law enforcement successfully captured Adolfo Macías Villamar, widely known as "Fito," the country’s most wanted drug lord. He is the leader of the Los Choneros gang, a group heavily linked to the alarming rise in violence and murder rates in Ecuador. Fito has also been implicated in the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio earlier this year.

Authorities tracked Fito to a concealed bunker underneath a luxury residence in Manta. The operation, conducted by police and military forces, lasted ten hours and concluded without gunfire. A police spokesman reported that officers first encircled the three-story home situated in the Monterrey district. When they executed the raid, they uncovered a hidden sliding door that led to the underground lair, equipped with amenities like air conditioning, a bed, and a fridge.

Fito offered little resistance during his capture and was subsequently airlifted to Guayaquil, home to some of Ecuador's most secure prisons. Surveillance footage showed him in casual attire as he was escorted by armed officers to a vehicle, later being transferred to La Roca maximum-security prison.

President Daniel Noboa commended the efforts of the security forces and indicated intentions to extradite Fito to the United States, where he faces cocaine smuggling charges. Following his escape from La Regional prison in Guayaquil earlier this year, which was facilitated by corrupt guards, Ecuador experienced a volatile period marked by prison riots and hostage situations, leading Noboa to declare a state of emergency.

Fito's earlier notoriety stemmed from his rise to prominence in the Los Choneros gang, which he led from prison while serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug crimes. Under his direction, Los Choneros developed connections with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, producing a wave of violence, including brutal tactics that echo those of Mexican criminal organizations.

Noboa, who took office in November 2023 vowing to tackle gang violence, stated that Fito's arrest exemplifies the effectiveness of his government's recently implemented laws, which permit increased police powers and the declaration of an "armed internal conflict." He expressed confidence that more drug lords would soon be apprehended, emphasizing a commitment to restoring control over the nation.