He has not completed two months in the Palace of Carondelet, and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa starts his term facing a deep strategic challenge: José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias Fito, the head of Los Choneros, Ecuador’s most notorious drug trafficking network, vanished while imprisoned in Guayaquil, right under the authorities’ watch. The incident compelled Noboa to convene an urgent meeting of the Council of State and Public Security in a coastal city. The move quickly drew fire from the opposition, who framed it as a sign of inexperience in the young administration.
Los Choneros are widely described as the operational arm of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel within Ecuador. Fito has become a defining headache for the state, and his notoriety is amplified by a narcocorrido that celebrates his reach in the criminal world.
Initial rumors suggested Fito’s discharge from prison, as military and police deployments surrounded the district prison in Guayaquil, lending credibility to an escape narrative. Rafael Correa, a former president, and José Serrano suggested the possibility openly. The sentiment from Correa echoed on social media: a shocking remark about the most dangerous criminal leaving the facility, provoking a quick wave of reactions from political figures who questioned homeland security and the state’s capacity to respond.
According to Fernando Vaca, commander of the district’s 4th precinct, authorities noted the absence of a prisoner during the searches. He described the operation as an on-site, multi-axis effort, with suspects and evidence collected on the spot. Cell phones, knives, and other items were seized during the broader prison search, underscoring the intensity of the manhunt.
We are truly crazy. What did they do to you Homeland. pic.twitter.com/EcWpqb47Un
— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) January 7, 2024
A life devoted to crime
José Adolfo Macías Villamar is 44 years old and carries an extensive criminal dossier. He has faced charges for robbery, organized crime, gun possession, and murder, and has been sentenced to 34 years in prison. He spent a significant portion of his life behind bars, with brief intermissions. In early 2013, alias Fito and 15 associates, including Jorge Luis Zambrano who would later lead the gang, escaped from a maximum-security facility, reshaping the criminal landscape in the region.
Los Choneros are seen not only as the operational wing of Ecuador’s drug network but also as a key node within the Sinaloa Cartel’s sphere. Their activities extend beyond drug trafficking into robbery, assassinations, and extortion. In a relatively short span, Ecuador has become one of the most violent countries in the region, a reality tethered to the group’s influence and the broader criminal economy surrounding trafficking networks.
Violence unleashed
The security crisis underpinning Noboa’s political ascent is reflected in grim statistics: violence remains alarmingly high at about 40 homicides per 100,000 people nationwide, with pockets in cities such as Guayaquil showing rates well above that mean. In some neighborhoods within Guayas’ capital, counts have soared to more than 110–114 per 100,000 people, marking moments when life is fragile and danger feels omnipresent. By mid-December, thousands had fallen under these conditions, underscoring a country in the throes of instability and the state’s ongoing struggle to restore order.
The tension is intertwined with a broader political crisis that has unsettled conservatives and sparked debates about governance. The former president faced calls for early elections amid accusations of corruption, while supporters of former administrations argued that the political system was being stretched by protests and policy clashes. Since mid-2021, the country has endured repeated episodes of upheaval linked to economic policy and political legitimacy, setting a stage where public security and political stability are inextricably linked.
International crime map
Experts note a rapid expansion of criminal networks within Ecuador and a stronger presence of international crime links. They point to the laundering of proceeds from drug trafficking as a central feature of the economy, with a significant portion of illicit funds circulating through formal financial systems. A United Nations report highlighted how substantial drug shipments bound for international markets have connections to major ports like Guayaquil, illustrating how local trafficking feeds the global network while straining national institutions.
Political figures have voiced stark warnings about the security situation. A former presidential candidate urged the public to recognize the country’s vulnerabilities while asserting that decisive action was needed. In parallel, a leader from another political movement framed the escape as a turning point that could lead to deeper entrenchment of criminal groups if not addressed with renewed resolve and governance reforms. The discourse underscores a shared concern: the security crisis is not just a crime issue but a test of state capacity and political will in Ecuador.
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