Ecuador’s Capture of ‘Fito’ Highlights the Power—and Limits—of Law Enforcement in Combating Crime

In a significant development for law enforcement and public safety in Ecuador, President Daniel Noboa announced the recapture of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias ‘Fito,’ the notorious leader of Los Choneros—the country’s oldest and largest criminal syndicate.‘Fito’ had been on the run since his escape from Guayaquil’s Regional Prison late last year, where he was serving a lengthy sentence for narcotics trafficking, organized crime, and murder. His flight exposed critical vulnerabilities within Ecuador’s penal system, raising questions about institutional accountability and security protocols.President Noboa attributed this successful operation to recently enacted laws on Solidarity and Intelligence aimed at strengthening police...