Drug kingpin Fito, Ecuadors most wanted man, has been captured, says Ecuadors president
CNN4 days
Ecuador Captures Drug Lord 'Fito' in Underground Bunker
Above: Adolfo "Fito" Macías is escorted by authorities upon recapture in Guayaquil, Ecuador on June 25, 2025. Image copyright: MARCOS PIN/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
This capture represents a major victory against transnational organized crime and validates the tough security measures implemented to combat Ecuador's drug violence crisis. The successful operation demonstrates that enhanced intelligence laws and military cooperation can effectively target criminal networks that have terrorized the country. Fito's extradition to face justice in the United States will send a strong message to other cartel leaders.
Government-critical narrative
The dramatic arrest raises serious concerns about Ecuador's prison system vulnerabilities and the government's ability to maintain long-term security. Previous escapes and ongoing corruption within correctional facilities suggest systemic problems that a single capture cannot solve. Without addressing root causes of institutional weakness, Ecuador may struggle to prevent future breakouts from its inadequate maximum-security facilities.