Ecuador's most-wanted gang leader Fito arrested — president

Ecuador's most wanted fugitive has been recaptured after escaping prison last year, the country's president announced on Wednesday.

Jose Adolfo Macias, also known as "Fito," was captured in Ecuador, President Daniel Noboa said, without disclosing further details. The Associated Press news agency cited officials as saying the arrest was made in the Ecuadorian city of Manta, Fito's hometown.

What did Noboa say about Fito's capture?

Noboa's government had offered a $1 million (about €855,650) reward for information leading to the gang leader's capture.


"My recognition to our police and military who participated in this operation. More will fall, we will reclaim the country. No truce," said Noboa in a statement on X.

Quito has requested that he be extradited to the United States, where "Los Choneros" criminal gang was sanctioned last year, Noboa said, adding that they await Washington's response.

Macias is due to face international gun and drug charges in a federal court in New York.

Who is 'Fito' and why is he Ecuador's most wanted fugitive?

The criminal gang leader was sentenced in 2011 to 34 years in prison over drug trafficking, murder and other crimes. He mysteriously disappeared from prison in 2024, during an episode of violence.

To this day, it is not yet clear how he escaped the Guayaquil Regional Prison, where he enjoyed a special status that in 2023 allowed him to release a video addressed to "the Ecuadorian people," surrounded by armed men.

"Fito" also had access to everything in prison, from liquor to roosters for cockfighting matches.