Extraditable a los EEUU
Quito, Jul 17 (EFE). –
Ecuador’s National Court of Justice (CNJ) on Thursday approved the extradition to the United States of drug trafficker José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as “Fito,” leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang.
“Fito” was recaptured on Jun. 25 after escaping from the prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence since 2011 for various crimes, including drug trafficking, murder, and organized crime.
CNJ President José Suing approved the extradition after Fito agreed to be sent to the US, where he faces seven counts, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine internationally and smuggling firearms.
According to the indictment, Los Choneros, in alliance with the Sinaloa Cartel, ran a massive network that shipped and distributed tons of cocaine from South America through Central America and Mexico to the United States and beyond.
Suing analyzed the extradition request, which required the US to guarantee that Fito would not be executed or subjected to punishments that violate his physical integrity, nor to inhumane or degrading treatment, in line with Ecuadorian regulations.
Once the court ruled that the extradition request is admissible, it will be sent to President Daniel Noboa, who will decide whether to hand over the criminal leader.
In previous weeks, the head of state urged the US authorities to submit the extradition request.
“Fito” will be the first Ecuadorian extradited to the US, after a 2024 referendum eliminated the prohibition in the Constitution.
Accepts Extradition
On Friday, the leader of Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s oldest and biggest criminal gangs, agreed to be extradited.
During the hearing, the judge asked “Fito” if he consented to the US request for his extradition, to which he replied, “Yes, I accept.”
Fito appeared via videoconference from La Roca, Ecuador’s maximum-security prison in Guayaquil, where he has been held since his recapture.
The proceedings took place three days after Suing received the formal request from the United States for Fito to appear before the judicial authorities and defend himself against the accusations.
US indictment
In February 2024, the US government imposed sanctions on Los Choneros and Fito, freezing all properties and interests in properties on US soil or under the possession or control of US persons.
In April, the US formally charged the criminal leader with seven counts.
“Fito” was arrested on June 25 after a military operation lasting more than ten hours inside a luxurious home in Montecristi, a town in the coastal province of Manabí where he is from and where the criminal organization under his command emerged in 1998. EFE sm/mcd
