1 of 2 Image of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito Photo: Reproduction/@ffaaecuador Image of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito Photo: Reproduction/@ffaaecuador
The escape from prison of Adolfo Macías, known as Fito, prompted Ecuador to declare a state of emergency throughout the country.
He is the leader of the criminal group Los Choneros, considered one of the most dangerous in the country, and it is not the first time he has escaped.
Fito, 44, had been held in a coastal prison near Guayaquil (Ecuador's largest city) since 2011. He was sentenced to 34 years in prison for organized crime, drug trafficking and murder.
According to the national press, Fito disappeared shortly before his transfer to a maximum security prison. More than 3,000 police officers were deployed to search for him even on the roofs and sewers of the prison.
Initially, the possibility was considered that Fito was hiding in the prison itself, which is controlled by the Choneros.
The faction has its roots in Manabí province and has close ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the world's largest criminal groups based in Mexico.
In addition to conflicts with other drug trafficking groups, Los Choneros are also accused of murders, robberies and extortion.
Authorities were slow to publicly disclose the escape, but subsequent unrest in several prisons across the country made it difficult to conceal Fito's disappearance.
On Monday (8), the newly appointed President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, declared a 60day state of emergency in the country due to Fito's escape and the uprisings. Kidnappings of police officers were also reported
It is not yet clear whether the attackers belong to the Choneros or another criminal group.
After taking over the television station, the president declared that there was an “internal armed conflict” in the country.
“I have ordered the armed forces to carry out military operations to neutralize these groups,” he said.
Land wanted by criminals
“Ecuador has for some time played a central role in the transport of cocaine to the USA and Europe. It also borders Colombia in the very area where the coca leaf is produced,” Carolina Sampó, a doctor, tells the BBC and researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research in Argentina, told BBC News Mundo (the Spanishlanguage service the BBC).
“If we add to this the fragility of the state and the lack of resources of state institutions, it means that Ecuador has unfortunately become not only a transit area, but also a place where crime reigns,” he adds. According to her, the country was “wanted” by criminal organizations.
As a result, Ecuador has been suffering an increase in violence for several years, exacerbated by battles with cartels in Colombia and Mexico.
Fito became the leader of Los Choneros after the death of the previous leader, Júnior Roldán, who had been released from prison. Authorities said Roldán died in Colombia.
It is not the first time that Adolfo Macías escapes from prison. He had already escaped along with other criminals in 2013 after spending only two years in the highsecurity A Rocha prison in the city of Guayaquil.
He escaped by sailing a boat on the Daule River, which runs parallel to the prison.
It took three months before the authorities managed to arrest him and return him to the detention center.
TV Invasion and “Internal Armed Conflict”: Understanding the Security Crisis in Ecuador
According to the local newspaper Primicias, the criminal not only completed his law studies in Guayaquil prison, but also controlled his drug trade from there.
According to the newspaper, Fito had a net worth of more than $23 million as of May 2023. Led by Macías, the gang is also suspected of having an extortion plan against the remaining prisoners.
Swimming pools, parties and blackmail
One of the prisoners who lived with Macías in a regional prison claims that he built swimming pools, organized parties, recorded videos, gave press conferences and used armed drones in the sunbathing areas of the pavilions.
“Prisoners have no choice, they have to be accomplices,” a man who asked to remain anonymous told Primicias.
“They threaten us and our families. “Los Choneros charge prisoners a ‘monthly fee,’ not including the things they force us to buy.”
2 of 2 More than 3,000 men were deployed to search for Fito Photo: GETTY IMAGES More than 3,000 men were deployed to search for Fito Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Chaos in prisons and takeover of television stations
Following Fito's escape, riots broke out in at least six prisons in Ecuador, with several prison guards reportedly being taken hostage by prisoners.
All of this led the government to declare a state of emergency.
In Ecuador, armed men break into a state television studio
This means that the police can count on the support of the Bundeswehr in maintaining order and security, including in prisons.
In addition, a curfew between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. has been imposed for all cities.
Noboa's security plan includes a new intelligence unit, tactical weapons for law enforcement and security, and a plan to temporarily hold dangerous prisoners on prison ships. Since 2021, more than 400 deaths have been reported in Ecuador's prisons due to clashes between rival gangs.
On Tuesday (September 1), a group of armed men entered a television studio in Ecuador and threatened employees who were broadcasting live. The broadcasts of the TC station in the city of Guayaquil were interrupted this Tuesday (September 1) by the group wearing hoods and armed.
Footage shows staff being forced to lie on the floor before the live broadcast was interrupted.
*with reporting by Cristina J. Orgaz