In a shocking turn of events, Ecuador has declared a state of emergency after Jose Adolfo Macias, also known as Fito, a notorious druglord and leader of the Los Choneros gang, escaped from a maximum-security prison over the weekend. This incident has sparked unrest in several prisons across the violence-plagued country, prompting President Daniel Noboa to mobilize soldiers in Ecuador’s streets and prisons for a period of 60 days. The president has also implemented a daily curfew from 11pm to 5am to aid in the search for Fito.
President Noboa, who has been in office since November, addressed the nation through a video on Instagram, stating that the state of emergency would provide the armed forces with the necessary political and legal support to combat what he described as “narcoterrorists.” He emphasized that Ecuador will not negotiate with terrorists and vowed to restore peace to all Ecuadorans.
Fito’s escape was discovered by police during an inspection of a prison in the port city of Guayaquil. The 44-year-old, known for instilling terror in his fellow inmates, is believed to have received a tip-off and escaped just hours before the police arrived. The state has launched a full-scale search operation to locate this extremely dangerous individual, with presidency spokesperson Roberto Izurieta expressing concern over the prison system’s failure and the level of infiltration by criminal groups.
This is not the first time Fito has managed to escape imprisonment. In 2013, he successfully evaded capture for three months before being recaptured. Last August, following the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, Fito was transferred to a maximum-security prison in an operation involving thousands of security forces. Villavicencio, an anti-cartel candidate, had received threats from Fito prior to his death.
Ecuador, traditionally considered a peaceful haven between top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, has experienced a surge in violence in recent years. Rival gangs with connections to Mexican and Colombian cartels are vying for control, resulting in gang wars primarily taking place within the country’s prisons. Fito, known for his immense control over criminal activities, has played a significant role in this violence. Since 2021, approximately 460 inmates have been killed in these battles, often with their bodies found dismembered, decapitated, or incinerated.
The search for Fito continues, with spokesperson Izurieta describing him as a criminal with extremely dangerous characteristics, whose activities resemble terrorism. Following Fito’s escape, unrest erupted in six provinces across Ecuador, with guards being taken hostage in some prisons. Heavily armed police and soldiers were deployed to these facilities, resulting in the arrest of half-naked inmates in courtyards. The prison authority reported no injuries during these incidents.
President Noboa, who campaigned on a platform of cracking down on gangs and insecurity, has proposed the creation of a separate judicial system for the most serious crimes, the militarization of borders with Colombia and Peru, and the confinement of the most violent offenders on offshore barges. In line with this approach, he recently announced plans to construct two new maximum-security prisons similar to those built by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has garnered controversy for his aggressive measures against gangs, which have been credited with significantly reducing the country’s murder rate.
The escape of Fito and the subsequent unrest in Ecuador’s prisons highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the country in combating organized crime and maintaining security. The government’s response to this incident will undoubtedly shape the future of the country’s criminal justice system and its efforts to restore peace and stability for its citizens.
