Colombian Police Capture Wife and Daughter of Ecuadorian Gang Leader Extradited to US

Colombian police announced Sunday the capture of the wife and daughter of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito,” a prominent Ecuadorian gang leader who was extradited to the United States last year on drug trafficking charges.

The arrests took place in Sabana de Torres, a municipality in northeastern Colombia. The operation involved collaboration between the FBI and Ecuadorian authorities.

“Colombia will not be a safe haven for the finances of transnational criminal groups,” Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella stated on X, formerly Twitter. “I will send these (women) with pleasure to my friend President Daniel Noboa, so that they face Ecuadorian justice.”

Macías Villamar, leader of the Los Choneros organization, escaped from a prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in January 2024. His escape prompted the Ecuadorian government to declare a state of emergency, leading to violent prison riots and widespread chaos, particularly in Guayaquil, where gang members stormed a television station during a live broadcast.

He was apprehended and subsequently extradited to the United States, where he faces charges related to the importation of thousands of pounds of cocaine. The U.S. State Department designated Los Choneros as a terrorist group last year.

Ecuador continues to grapple with drug-related violence despite efforts to dismantle powerful criminal organizations and deploy military forces. The country's homicide rate has increased fivefold since 2020, reaching a historic high last year with 50 homicides per 100,000 residents, according to the Interior Ministry.

President Daniel Noboa's administration has faced criticism from human rights groups regarding its approach to combating drug trafficking, with documented abuses including the killing of four minors in early 2024. Nevertheless, Noboa was reelected last year, reflecting voters' concerns about rising crime.