Ecuador's National Emergency: The Mystery of the Drug Cartel Kingpin's Jailbreak

Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, a notorious gang leader, escaped from prison in Ecuador, leading to widespread chaos and violence across the country. His gang, Los Choneros, has been linked to drug trafficking and murder, and has caused a national emergency. More than 130 prison staff are being held hostage, police officers have been killed, and bombs have been detonated. The president has imposed a nightly curfew and declared a state of emergency, with plans to deport foreign prisoners and neutralize criminal gangs. Despite being incarcerated since 2011, Fito continued to operate his gang from inside prison, amassing a fortune and maintaining a relationship with his girlfriend. The surge in violence has been attributed to the power struggle within the cartel following the killing of its previous leader in 2020.