Ecuadorian officials have revealed that fugitive gang leader Adolfo “Fito” Macías hid in his hometown of Manta for months after escaping prison.
Fito, head of the notorious Los Choneros gang, escaped from a Guayaquil prison in January 2024. His jailbreak triggered nationwide riots and a state of emergency.
Interior Minister Mónica Palencia said Fito used safehouses, forged IDs, and a loyal network of guards and insiders to move around undetected. He stayed in four locations, including a beach villa and a rural hideout.
“He never left Manta. He was protected by his own criminal circle,” Palencia said.
Authorities eventually caught him during a joint police-military raid. Over 30 people, including police and prison staff, have been arrested for helping him
Fito’s gang is involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and contract killings. The government has pledged to crack down harder on gang networks.
