Ecuadorian authorities, in coordination with U.S. law enforcement, captured one of the country’s most violent and powerful cartel leaders this week in a major blow to organized crime. Jose Adolfo “Fito” Macias, head of the Los Choneros cartel, was arrested while hiding in a bunker, according to Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
Noboa announced the arrest on social media, crediting the success to a new wave of crime-fighting laws and a no-compromise strategy toward drug violence. A video released by the Ecuadorian government shows tactical units seizing Macias, reinforcing Noboa’s message that Ecuador will not negotiate with criminal organizations.
The arrest marks a turning point in Ecuador’s battle against cartels, and Noboa is pushing for Macias to be extradited to the United States. Authorities there have charged the cartel boss with multiple drug trafficking conspiracy crimes.
Los Choneros is the most dominant criminal organization in Ecuador, with a history spanning more than two decades. Under Macias’ leadership, the cartel contributed to unprecedented levels of violence, including record-setting murder rates that forced the Ecuadorian government to declare a state of emergency in 2024. Macias previously escaped from custody, sparking national unrest and global concern over Ecuador’s internal stability.
Macias took over Los Choneros in 2020 after the assassination of its former leader. His reign saw increased alliances with foreign cartels, greater influence over Ecuador’s port cities, and a surge in cocaine exports to North America and Europe.
With Macias now in custody and facing extradition, Ecuador’s government is positioning the arrest as a major victory in its war on narco-terrorism. The operation reflects a growing trend among U.S.-aligned nations adopting more aggressive crime-fighting policies—what some are calling “the Trump effect.”
