He has not yet completed two months in the Palace of Carondelet, and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa 2024 starts with a big problem: José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias ‘Fito’, leader of ‘Los Choneros’, the most dangerous drug trafficking group in the country, disappeared between prison related to Guayaquil right under the nose of the authorities. Sunday’s events forced Noboa to call an urgent meeting of the Council of State and Public Security (COSEPE) in the coastal city. It did not take long for the opposition to emphasize the seriousness of the incident and the young president’s lack of experience.
‘Los Choneros’ is a Tentacle extension of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel. ‘Fito’ has been a headache for the Ecuadorian State since he took control of that gang. His figure is also glorified with a ‘narcocorrido’, definitive proof of the power he has achieved in the criminal universe.
First the rumor spread about him discharge. As the deployment of military and police around the District prison began, the version of ‘Fito’s escape gained greater consistency. He was the former Minister of Internal Affairs. Rafael CorreaJosé Serrano finished confirming the news. “The most dangerous criminal left in prison escaped (all the others were killed or given pre-release).” Former President Correa immediately posted: “We are really crazy. What did they do to you, Homeland!”
“It was possible to notice the absence of one of the prisoners,” said Fernando Vaca, commander of that force’s 4th District. Interesting way to talk about escape. “The police are active with all their axes, and all elements of the alert are activated at the same time. “The search is being done ‘on-site’… He must have been found somewhere in the same area as the prison,” he surmised. “Cell phones, knives and other evidence found were seized,” he said of the prison searches.
A life devoted to crime
José Adolfo Macías Villamar He is 44 years old and has accumulated extensive files since he became involved in crime. A lawsuit was filed against him robbery, organized crime, gun possession and murder. He was sentenced to 34 years in prison. He had been behind bars for 12 years, with an intermission of about 10 months; At the beginning of 2013, Alias Fito and 15 other henchmen of ‘Los Choneros’, including Jorge Luis Zambrano, who later led the gang, escaped from the Maximum security prison.
‘Los Choneros’ is not only seen as the operational arm of the organization. Sinaloa Cartel inside Ecuador. In addition to drug trafficking, they are also engaged in robbery, hitman and extortion. In just a few years this country has become the most violent country in the region.
violence unleashed
The security crisis that paved the way for Noboa’s election victory with his promise to restore order is reflected in dire figures: 40 violent deaths per 100,000 people. In a neighborhood south of Nueva Prosperina GuayaquilIn the capital of the coastal state of Guayas, where ‘Los Choneros’ and other groups are fighting bullets for territory, the rate reaches 114 per 100,000 people. This is one of the highest rates on the planet. In this general context, one Ecuadorian loses his life every hour. Until December 17, 7 thousand 497 citizens lost their lives under these conditions.
escalation of violence It is intertwined with the political crisis that challenges conservatives. Guillermo Lasso Calling for early elections to avoid being subjected to a motion of no confidence in the parliament due to allegations of corruption. Lasso took office in mid-2021. lots of protests for him economic policy.
International crime map
HE growth of mafias has been exponential EcuadorYears ago it was not part of the larger international crime map. According to experts, 70 percent of money from drug trafficking is laundered or laundered in the financial system, and only 30 percent of a dollarized country is diluted in its underground economy. a report United Nations He stated that 30 percent to 50 percent of the drugs coming to Greece and Turkey this year came from the port of Guayaquil.
Former presidential candidate Jan Topic, who introduced himself to the voters as ‘the country’, said: “The country is beautiful but we are losing, take control!” asked.Ecuadorian Nahib Bukele. Edwin Ortega, representative of the Gente Buena political movement, said: “With the escape of Alias Fito, you officially hand over Ecuador to the gangs.”