Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced that one of the country's most wanted men – Jose Adolfo Macias, known by the nickname Fito, has been captured, DPA reported, BTA reported.
In January last year, Macias, who is the head of the powerful gang "Los Choneros", escaped from a maximum security prison in the port city of Guayaquil, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking.
"For those who oppose and doubt the need for national security and intelligence laws: thanks to these laws, Fito was captured today and is in the hands of security forces," Noboa wrote on the social network "Ex". "We have done our part in the extradition of Fito to the United States," the Ecuadorian president added, noting that a response from the American authorities is awaited.
The Defense Ministry said Macias was captured after a 10-hour operation involving several services.
The crime boss's escape sparked a wave of violence in Ecuador, and Noboa took measures that included declaring 22 criminal groups, including "Los Choneros", as terrorist organizations. In addition, Noboa declared a state of emergency and deployed military units to combat the groups.
Earlier this month, parliament passed laws that give the president broad powers and create a legal framework for the work of intelligence and counterintelligence. Human Rights Watch warned that these laws include "dangerous provisions that threaten the rights of Ecuadorians.
The expansion of the activities of powerful drug cartels in Ecuador has caused a security crisis in the once peaceful Latin American country. Large quantities of cocaine are smuggled through the country's Pacific ports, with the final destinations being mainly Europe and Asia.