Wife and Daughter of Notorious Ecuadorian Gang Leader Captured in Colombia
Authorities in Colombia arrested two women wanted for money laundering, linked to the extradited drug lord known as 'Fito'.
Colombian police announced the capture of the wife and daughter of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as 'Fito,' a prominent Ecuadorian gang leader who was extradited to the U.S. last year on drug trafficking charges. The arrests were made in Sabana de Torres, a municipality in northeastern Colombia, according to police statements.
The two women are reportedly wanted in Ecuador for money laundering. The operation involved collaboration between the FBI and Ecuadorian authorities. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella stated on social media that Colombia would not serve as a refuge for the finances of transnational criminal organizations and expressed his willingness to hand the women over to Ecuadorian justice.
Fito, the leader of the Los Choneros cartel, escaped from a prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in January 2024. His escape prompted Ecuador's government to declare a state of emergency, which was followed by widespread prison riots and public disorder, including a brazen armed takeover of a television station during a live broadcast. Macías Villamar was subsequently recaptured and extradited to the United States, where he faces charges related to the importation of significant quantities of cocaine. The U.S. State Department designated Los Choneros as a terrorist group last year.
Despite efforts to combat organized crime, including the extradition of key figures and military deployments, Ecuador continues to grapple with escalating drug-related violence. The country's homicide rate has increased substantially since 2020, reaching a reported 50 homicides per 100,000 residents last year, the highest in recent history, according to the Interior Ministry.
President Daniel Noboa's administration has faced scrutiny from human rights organizations regarding its methods in confronting drug trafficking organizations, with reports of abuses including the deaths of minors. Nevertheless, Noboa was re-elected to a four-year term last year amid voter concerns over rising crime rates.