Ecuador: Gang Boss Adolfo Macias' Family Arrested, Deported from Argentina

In a bold move, Argentina has detained and expelled the wife and children of Adolfo Macías Villamar, a notorious Ecuador gang leader known as Fito, according to BBC.

This action, carried out by Argentine authorities, demonstrates the nation's commitment to combating organized crime and its stance as a "hostile territory for narco-criminals," as declared by Argentina's security minister.

Fito, who recently escaped from an Ecuadorean prison, is evading a nationwide search that has prompted Ecuador to declare a state of emergency.

Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich emphasized their refusal to be a haven for criminals during a press conference where she revealed that Adolfo Macias family members and associates, totaling eight individuals, were detained in the region of Córdoba and subsequently deported to Ecuador.

Adolfo Macias Family's Background and Deportation

"We are proud that Argentina was a hostile territory for a group of drug dealers who could've come to settle here. Mr Fito had a sentence of 38 years, and he escaped, leaving a trail of blood and death in Ecuador," Bullrich said.

Fito's wife, Mariela Macias, along with her three children, a nephew, a family friend, and a nanny, were among those deported, Al Jazeera reported.

Mariela had arrived in Argentina just before her husband's escape, and in December, the couple had purchased a house in an exclusive neighborhood of Cordoba using cash.

Authorities are investigating whether Fito himself is in Argentina or if he had only sent his family ahead.

Juan Pablo Quinteros, an official in Cordoba, confirmed the cancellation of the Adolfo Macias family's temporary residence permit, enabling their detention and expulsion.

Interior Minister Guillermo Francos asserted Argentina's commitment to not becoming a refuge for criminals.

Fito's Criminal Network and Escalating Violence in Ecuador

Fito, the leader of the Los Choneros gang, is implicated in earlier prison violence and linked to the murder of Fernando Villavicencio, an anti-corruption presidential candidate, per KBC.

His escape from a facility in Guayaquil triggered Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa to declare war on gangs, leading to heightened security conditions and increased violence by criminal organizations.

Drug cartels responded with threats to civilians and security forces, taking hostages, setting off explosives, and launching attacks on various fronts.

The recent storming of a television station and the subsequent shooting of a prosecutor underscore the severity of the situation, BARRON's noted.

President Noboa has declared war to recover a nation deeply affected by gang-related turmoil.

"We have a war to fight and a very battered nation to recover," Noboa said.

Ecuador's efforts to regain control over its prisons after rioting has been challenged by the elusive Fito, prompting the president to call on Colombia to assist in the search for the fugitive.

Plans to deport foreign criminals are part of Ecuador's strategy to address prison overcrowding, reflecting a broader commitment to restoring stability in the face of organized crime.

The expulsion of Adolfo Macias family from Argentina sends a clear message about the region's united front against criminal activities and its determination to uphold the rule of law.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Relatives of Ecuador drug lord arrested: Family members deported from Argentina - From Al Jazeera English