Ecuador Extradites Notorious Drug Lord "Fito" to the US

World News

Ecuador Extradites Notorious Drug Lord "Fito" to the US

4 months ago

News sources:

REUTERS 2

SCMP

INDIATIMES

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BBC

LEMONDE

ALJAZEERA

NPR

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Credited from: REUTERS

Ecuador has extradited drug lord "Fito" to the United States.
Fito faces charges of drug and weapons trafficking in US federal court.
This marks the first direct extradition of an Ecuadorian to the US.
He was recaptured after escaping from prison last year.
Los Choneros gang, led by Fito, has deep ties to international drug cartels.

The Ecuadorian government has successfully extradited José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as "Fito," to the United States, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against organized crime. This action follows Macías’ recapture in June after his escape from a maximum-security prison in January 2024, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for various crimes, including drug trafficking and murder, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.

This extradition is significant as it is the first time an Ecuadorian has been extradited directly to the U.S., following a referendum that allowed for such legal actions against its citizens. President Daniel Noboa has emphasized the need for a strong stance against rising crime and gang violence plaguing the nation, with Macías' Los Choneros gang being directly linked to notorious drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia, according to BBC and NPR.

The recapture of Fito followed a months-long manhunt after he escaped from a facility notorious for violence and corruption, prompting a military response from Ecuadorian authorities. His criminal operations reportedly included not only drug distribution but also the use of violence against political figures and civilians alike, reflecting the pervasive insecurity in Ecuador, as detailed by CBS News and Al Jazeera.