Colombian police have arrested the wife and daughter of Ecuadorian gang leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar, better known as “Fito,” who was extradited to the United States last year on drug trafficking charges.
The two women were wanted in Ecuador over alleged money laundering. Police arrested them in Sabana de Torres, a town in northeastern Colombia, during an operation involving the FBI and Ecuadorian authorities.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said the arrests showed that Colombia would not become a refuge for criminal organizations seeking to move or protect their money.
He said the two women would be sent to Ecuador to face the country’s justice system.
Fito’s Prison Escape Sparked Crisis
Macías Villamar is the former leader of Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal organizations.
He escaped from a prison in Guayaquil in January 2024. His disappearance triggered a major security crisis across Ecuador.
The government declared a state of emergency after the escape. Violence then spread through several parts of the country, including deadly prison riots.
In one of the most dramatic incidents, armed gang members stormed a television station in Guayaquil during a live broadcast.
Authorities eventually recaptured Macías Villamar. He was later extradited to the United States, where prosecutors accused him of importing thousands of pounds of cocaine.
The US State Department also designated Los Choneros as a terrorist organization last year.
Ecuador Struggles With Drug Violence
The arrest of Fito and other major criminal figures has not ended Ecuador’s struggle with organized crime.
Drug trafficking groups continue to operate across the country. Authorities have deployed military forces to patrol areas affected by violence, but killings remain a major concern.
According to Ecuador’s Interior Ministry, the country’s homicide rate has increased sharply since 2020. Last year, Ecuador recorded its highest homicide rate in recent history, reaching about 50 killings per 100,000 residents.
The violence has also created pressure on President Daniel Noboa’s government. His administration has taken a tougher approach toward drug trafficking organizations and expanded the role of the military in security operations.
Human Rights Groups Raise Concerns
Noboa’s security policies have faced criticism from human rights organizations.
Rights groups have raised concerns about alleged abuses by security forces during operations against criminal groups. One widely reported case involved the deaths of four children between the ages of 11 and 15 in 2024.
Despite the criticism, voters concerned about rising crime returned Noboa to office for another four-year term last year.
The latest arrests in Colombia highlight the regional nature of Ecuador’s organized crime problem. The involvement of Colombian, Ecuadorian and US authorities also reflects growing cooperation between governments seeking to target the financial networks surrounding powerful drug trafficking organizations.
