Following the unexpected escape of notorious gang leader Adolfo Macías, widely known as “Fito,” Ecuador’s president declared a state of emergency. The leader of Los Choneros, one of the most formidable gangs in the country, his disappearance from prison on January 7 led to riots across six correctional facilities. Read more about the breakout here.
44-year-old Macías was set to be transferred to a maximum-security facility in Guayaquil when officials found him missing. Already serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking, murder, and organized crime since 2011, his abrupt vanishing act created shockwaves.
In response, President Daniel Nobao declared an emergency that suspended the right of assembly and imposed a strict night curfew from 11 PM to 5 AM. Decree 110, which allows for this, also grants the army impunity to control internal security, particularly in prisons. The official statement can be found here.
In the wake of Macías’s escape, Ecuador has reportedly seen a surge of violent attacks, including the assassination of a former soccer leader, band robbery, and further prison riots. To strengthen security after Fito’s escape, Guayaquil’s Municipality announced that it has initiated precautionary measures, including increased surveillance and elite group controls. More details can be found here.
The National Service for Comprehensive Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI) subsequently issued a statement, referring to the escape as an “alleged evasion.” SNAI has reportedly submitted a complaint in Guayaquil about his disappearance from the Guayaquil penitentiary center. Find the full statement here.
This incident marks the first emergency under President Nobao, who assumed office in October 2023. In a video posted on his social media, he stated, “We are not going to negotiate with terrorists nor will we rest until we return peace to Ecuadorians.” He further emphasized that he has given clear directives to military and police commanders to intervene in the control of prisons. Watch the full video here.