Ecuador declares state of emergency after prison escape by crime leader
(CNN Spanish) — President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, has declared a state of emergency for the entire country, including prisons, following a series of violent events that included the escape of Adolfo Macías, also known as “Fito”, the leader of Los Choneros, a criminal gang allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The president cited “serious internal commotion” and increasing violence and crime as the reasons behind the decision.
In a public address on Monday, Noboa stated, “The time is over in which those convicted of drug trafficking, hitmen and organized crime dictated to the government in power what to do. What we are seeing in the country’s prisons is the result of the decision to confront them.” He also emphasized that the country will not negotiate with terrorists and is committed to restoring peace for all citizens.
The state of emergency will be in effect for 60 days and allows for the mobilization of the Police and the Armed Forces to control disturbances and maintain order. Additionally, a curfew will be imposed from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am to limit actions that may threaten public order.
Following Fito’s escape from a prison in Guayaquil and disturbances in multiple penitentiary centers, the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation. Los Choneros has been linked to drug trafficking activities, working with syndicates from Mexico, Brazil, and Albania. They are known to control Ecuador’s main prisons, where they run criminal networks from behind bars.
Ecuador, which was once considered an “island of peace,” has become a key transit point for cocaine trafficking to the United States and Europe. The declaration of a state of emergency is aimed at restoring order and security, as the country grapples with escalating violence and criminal activities.
— With reporting from CNN’s Michael Rios and Chris Lau.