• Ecuadorian gang leader 'Fito' agrees to extradition to the U.S. for drug and weapons charges.
• He was recaptured after escaping from a maximum security prison, sparking waves of gang violence.
• Macias was serving a 34-year sentence and has connections to Mexican and Colombian cartels.
• This marks the first extradition of an Ecuadorian under new laws approved in 2024.

Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito," has accepted a court request for his extradition to the United States to face several charges, including drug and weapons trafficking, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

Macias, who successfully evaded capture after a jailbreak in January 2024, was recaptured in late June beneath a luxury home in Manta, Ecuador. His escape led to a significant increase in violence attributed to his gang, Los Choneros, which is linked to major drug trafficking networks, reports Al Jazeera and CBS News.

In a virtual court appearance, Macias confirmed his consent by stating, "Yes, I accept (extradition)," which will expedite the process of transferring him to U.S. authorities, according to Le Monde and CBS News.

This extradition process represents a significant step for Ecuador, being the first of its kind since a new law was instituted following a referendum led by President Daniel Noboa. The legislation aims to bolster the government's war on crime and organized gangs, as Los Choneros pose a major threat to national security, reports Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Ecuador, once relatively tranquil, has faced escalating gang-related violence, particularly in prisons, where Macias reportedly held significant influence, according to CBS News and Le Monde.