Ecuadorian gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, widely known by his alias “Fito,” has agreed to be extradited to the United States, where he will face charges related to drug and arms trafficking. Macias gave his consent during a virtual court hearing, responding affirmatively to the judge’s question regarding the extradition. This acceptance significantly expedites the legal process, as the decision now moves to the presidency for final confirmation before U.S. authorities are formally engaged to coordinate the transfer.
Macias, the head of the criminal organization known as Los Choneros, had previously escaped from prison in January 2024, prompting an extensive manhunt across Ecuador. He was eventually captured in late June in the coastal city of Manta and immediately placed in a maximum-security facility. Prior to his escape, he had been serving a 34-year sentence for crimes that included murder, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
Following his recapture, Macias is expected to be transferred to the United States, where he will face a total of seven federal charges in Brooklyn, New York. These include allegations of large-scale drug and arms trafficking operations. U.S. authorities have also accused him of orchestrating violent attacks against law enforcement personnel, government officials, legal professionals, and civilians, all part of a broader pattern of criminal activities executed under his leadership.
In Ecuador, Los Choneros have long been associated with a wave of violence and instability, particularly within the nation’s prison system. Authorities believe the group has been a dominant force behind prison riots, extortion rings, and coordinated assassinations. The gang is also said to exert significant influence over the country’s overcrowded and corruption-ridden penitentiaries.
To bolster the crackdown on organized crime, the Ecuadorian government offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Macias’ capture. As part of the broader investigation, law enforcement officials also apprehended several of Macias’ family members and seized a number of his assets.
The move to allow extradition of Ecuadorian nationals was approved during a national referendum held in April 2024. This shift in policy marked a significant turn in the country’s approach to combating transnational organized crime and signaled stronger collaboration with international law enforcement bodies.
Macias’ decision to accept extradition not only removes the need for a lengthy judicial review by the National Court of Justice but also demonstrates the mounting pressure faced by criminal figures in the region. Once the presidency grants its approval, coordination with U.S. officials is expected to proceed swiftly, bringing one of Ecuador’s most notorious crime lords closer to facing justice in an American courtroom.
