Fact Check: Ecuador's most wanted man, Fito, captured after prison escape.

Fact Check: "Ecuador's most wanted man, Fito, captured after prison escape."

What We Know

José Adolfo “Fito” Macías Villamar, a notorious drug trafficker and leader of the gang Los Choneros, was captured by Ecuadorian authorities on June 25, 2025, more than a year after he escaped from a maximum-security prison in Guayaquil in January 2024. His escape was reportedly facilitated by prior knowledge of a planned transfer to another facility, allowing him to walk out of prison unnoticed (Washington Post, AP News).

Fito was located in a basement in Manta, Ecuador, where he had been hiding. The operation to capture him involved specialized police and military intelligence, with support from the United States. Videos from the arrest show officers apprehending him in a concealed space beneath a kitchen counter (CNN, Sky News). Following his capture, President Daniel Noboa announced plans for Fito's extradition to the United States, where he faces serious drug trafficking charges (Al Jazeera).

Analysis

The claim that Fito has been captured is supported by multiple reputable sources, including major news outlets like The Washington Post, AP News, and CNN. These sources provide consistent details about his capture, the circumstances surrounding his escape, and the implications for drug trafficking in Ecuador.

Fito's leadership of Los Choneros has been well-documented, with reports indicating that the gang has a significant presence in both Ecuador and the United States, often collaborating with Mexican cartels (AP News, Washington Post). The U.S. has issued an indictment against him for his role in importing large quantities of cocaine into the country, which adds credibility to the urgency of his capture (CNN, Al Jazeera).

The sources used in this fact-check are reliable, with established reputations for accurate reporting. The Washington Post and AP News, in particular, are known for their journalistic integrity and thorough fact-checking processes. The information regarding Fito's capture has been corroborated across multiple outlets, reducing the likelihood of misinformation.

Conclusion

The claim that "Ecuador's most wanted man, Fito, captured after prison escape" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Fito was indeed captured after a lengthy manhunt following his escape from prison. His arrest marks a significant development in Ecuador's ongoing struggle with drug trafficking and gang violence.

Fact Check: Ecuador's most wanted man, Fito, captured after prison escape.