Latest news with #Ecuadoreans
Saudi Gazette
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Powerful Ecuador drug lord 'Fito' extradited to US
WASHINGTON — The powerful Ecuadorean gang leader Adolfo Macías Villamar has been extradited to the United States to face charges of drug and arms trafficking. Known as "Fito", he was recaptured in June, almost a year after he escaped from a high-security prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence for a series of crimes. He will appear in a US federal court on Monday, where he will plead not guilty to international charges of drug and weapons trafficking, his lawyer told Reuters. Macías was leader of Los Choneros gang, which is linked to powerful criminal organisations from Mexico and the Balkans. He is also suspected of having ordered the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023. Los Choneros is blamed for Ecuador's transformation from a tourist haven to a country with one of the highest murder rates in the region. More than 70% of all cocaine produced in the world currently passes through Ecuador's ports. The country is located between the world's two top cocaine exporters, Colombia and June, police tracked Macías down to what they described as an underground bunker below a luxury home in the city of Manta. He was taken to La Roca, a maximum security prison. At the time, Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa praised the security forces for capturing him and said that he would be extradited to the country's prison authority said he was taken out of prison in Ecuador earlier on Sunday to be handed over to US authorities."Mr Macías and I will appear tomorrow before the Brooklyn federal court ... where he will plead not guilty," his lawyer, Alexei Schacht, told Reuters. "After, he will be held in a to-be-determined prison."Ecuadoreans voted in favor of allowing the extradition of citizens in a referendum called by President Noboa, who vowed to crack down on rising March this year, Noboa told the BBC he wants US, European and Brazilian armies to join his "war" against criminal gangs. — BBC
Straits Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' to plead not guilty in US after extradition
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Security forces stand outside the National Court of Justice following a hearing for the extradition of Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as \"Fito,\" who on Friday accepted the court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges, in Quito, Ecuador, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo QUITO - Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, known as "Fito," is set to appear in U.S. federal court on Monday, where he will plead not guilty to international charges of drug and weapons trafficking, his lawyer said. Macias, the leader of the Los Choneros gang, was taken out of prison in Ecuador earlier on Sunday to be handed over to U.S. authorities. The U.S. and Ecuadorean governments have not confirmed his extradition. Flight data shows that a U.S. government plane departed from Guayaquil after 2 p.m. local time. "Mr. Macias and I will appear tomorrow before the Brooklyn federal court ... where he will plead not guilty," his lawyer, Alexei Schacht, told Reuters. "After, he will be held in a to-be-determined prison." Macias escaped last year from Ecuadorean prison, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for a slew of crimes. He was recaptured last month. The U.S. Department of Justice has stated that under Macias' direction, Los Choneros committed violent acts against law enforcement, politicians, lawyers, prosecutors and civilians. Ecuador's government says the gang exercises vast control over the nation's prisons, which are plagued by corruption and overcrowding. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore New home owners find kampung spirit on BTO Telegram groups Asia Japan PM's future in doubt after election debacle Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Business Bigger, quieter, greener: High-volume low-speed fans see rising demand in warming Singapore Business DBS hits record high above $47; CDL up after director Philip Yeo announces resignation Singapore What would it take for S'pore to shed the dirty image of its blue recycling bins? Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Ecuadoreans voted in favor of allowing the extradition of citizens in a referendum called by President Daniel Noboa, who has vowed to crack down on rising crime. REUTERS
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Straits Times
Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' accepts extradition to US
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Jose Adolfo Macias known as \"Fito\", the leader of the Los Choneros criminal group, sits in an armoured personnel carrier after he was recaptured following his escape from a Guayaquil prison in 2024, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on June 26, 2025. Ecuadorean Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo QUITO - Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito," on Friday accepted a court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges. Macias, who escaped from prison in January 2024, was recaptured in late June by security forces in the coastal city of Manta and transferred to a maximum-security prison. "Yes, I accept, your honor," he told the judge presiding over the case, appearing at the hearing virtually. Macias accepting the extradition request will speed up the process, now moving on to the presidency for confirmation before authorities can coordinate with their U.S. counterparts to negotiate the handover. Rejecting the extradition request would have kicked off a potentially months-long process before the head of the National Court of Justice ruled whether or not to hand him over. In Ecuador, Macias was serving a 34-year sentence for various crimes, including drug trafficking, organized crime and murder. Macias will face seven charges, including for drug and arms trafficking, in a U.S. federal court in Brooklyn, New York. These charges were announced months before his recapture. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore ST will have Govt's 'full confidence and support' in its mission: PM Wong Singapore ST will aim to become an indispensable partner to S'pore's communities: Editor Jaime Ho Singapore Wishes for ST beyond 180: Odes to its enduring role in the Singapore story Singapore Heartbeats & Headlines: ST's 180-year legacy comes to life in immersive exhibition Singapore Trusted news, smarter experience with new Straits Times website and app Singapore Community space Stranger Conversations blossoms as 'library of human stories' and life experiences Singapore Man who killed 5-year-old daughter gets life sentence after he appeals against 35-year jail term Singapore Judge declines to void alleged sham marriage in S'pore, says it is for Parliament to decide The U.S. Department of Justice has stated that under Macias' direction, gang Los Choneros committed violent acts against law enforcement, Ecuadorean politicians, lawyers, prosecutors and civilians. Ecuadorean authorities have accused the criminal group of extortion, murder and drug trafficking, and allege it exercises vast control over Ecuador's prisons, which are plagued by crime and overcrowding. The Ecuadorean government had offered a $1 million reward for information leading to his capture. Authorities have also arrested Macias' relatives and seized several of his assets throughout the Andean nation. The extradition of Ecuadoreans was approved in a referendum called by President Daniel Noboa in April 2024. REUTERS
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU observers "categorically" reject Ecuador election fraud allegations
By Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) - European Union observers said on Tuesday that they "categorically" reject allegations of fraud in Ecuador's Sunday presidential elections, joining a chorus of rejections of leftist Luisa Gonzalez's call for a recount. Electoral authorities, the Organization of American States, the United States and members of Gonzalez's own party have said that President Daniel Noboa secured a full term in the vote. Noboa's lead of more than 1 million votes was a surprising sweep, after a tight February first round when he finished ahead by just over 16,700 votes. "We categorically reject the repeated narrative of fraud which has lead the (Citizens' Revolution) candidate not to recognize the results," said the head of the EU's observation mission, Gabriel Mato, during a press conference. His team have not seen any evidence of manipulation or credible reports of fraud, Mato said, adding Ecuadoreans had voted freely. There is work to be done for future contests, however, to ensure campaign donations are tracked properly, he said. Indigenous party Pachakutik, which had backed Gonzalez, said in a statement early on Tuesday it recognized Noboa's victory and hoped campaign pledges would be implemented for the good of the country. Gonzalez has not appeared publicly since Sunday night, nor provided details of what she said was a "grotesque" fraud.
Reuters
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
EU observers "categorically" reject Ecuador election fraud allegations
QUITO, April 15 (Reuters) - European Union observers said on Tuesday that they "categorically" reject allegations of fraud in Ecuador's Sunday presidential elections, joining a chorus of rejections of leftist Luisa Gonzalez's call for a recount. Electoral authorities, the Organization of American States, the United States and members of Gonzalez's own party have said that President Daniel Noboa secured a full term in the vote. Noboa's lead of more than 1 million votes was a surprising sweep, after a tight February first round when he finished ahead by just over 16,700 votes. "We categorically reject the repeated narrative of fraud which has lead the (Citizens' Revolution) candidate not to recognize the results," said the head of the EU's observation mission, Gabriel Mato, during a press conference. His team have not seen any evidence of manipulation or credible reports of fraud, Mato said, adding Ecuadoreans had voted freely. There is work to be done for future contests, however, to ensure campaign donations are tracked properly, he said. Indigenous party Pachakutik, which had backed Gonzalez, said in a statement early on Tuesday it recognized Noboa's victory and hoped campaign pledges would be implemented for the good of the country. Gonzalez has not appeared publicly since Sunday night, nor provided details of what she said was a "grotesque" fraud.
