The South American nation has reeled under a substantial increase in violent crime over the last several years.

Drug trafficker Adolfo Macias, alias Fito, is guarded by Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg (R) and military personnel upon arrival at the air base in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on June 25, 2025 ...

Ecuador’s most notorious drug kingpin has been extradited to the United States, a month after he was recaptured following a prison escape that sparked a wave of violence across the country. Jose ...

Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar 'Fito' (C) arrives back in Guayaquil, Ecuador, under heavy armed guard on Wednesday after being recaptured 120 miles away in the port city of Manta.© Maurico Torres/EPA ...

Drug trafficker Adolfo Macias, alias Fito, is guarded by Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg (R) and military personnel upon arrival at the air base in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on June 25, 2025 ...

Drug trafficker Adolfo Macias, alias Fito, is guarded by Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg (R) and military personnel upon arrival at the air base in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on June 25, 2025 ...

Ecuador's prison authorities provided this photo showing Jose Adolfo Macias, better known as “Fito,” being escorted by police officers in Guayaquil, Ecuador, as he was extradited to the US on ...

Ecuador's prison authorities provided this photo showing Jose Adolfo Macias, better known as “Fito,” being escorted by police officers in Guayaquil, Ecuador, as he was extradited to the US on ...