Latest news with #Ecuadorean
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Powerful Ecuador drug lord 'Fito' extradited to US
WASHINGTON — The powerful Ecuadorean gang leader Adolfo Macías Villamar has been extradited to the United States to face charges of drug and arms trafficking. Known as "Fito", he was recaptured in June, almost a year after he escaped from a high-security prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence for a series of crimes. He will appear in a US federal court on Monday, where he will plead not guilty to international charges of drug and weapons trafficking, his lawyer told Reuters. Macías was leader of Los Choneros gang, which is linked to powerful criminal organisations from Mexico and the Balkans. He is also suspected of having ordered the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023. Los Choneros is blamed for Ecuador's transformation from a tourist haven to a country with one of the highest murder rates in the region. More than 70% of all cocaine produced in the world currently passes through Ecuador's ports. The country is located between the world's two top cocaine exporters, Colombia and June, police tracked Macías down to what they described as an underground bunker below a luxury home in the city of Manta. He was taken to La Roca, a maximum security prison. At the time, Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa praised the security forces for capturing him and said that he would be extradited to the country's prison authority said he was taken out of prison in Ecuador earlier on Sunday to be handed over to US authorities."Mr Macías and I will appear tomorrow before the Brooklyn federal court ... where he will plead not guilty," his lawyer, Alexei Schacht, told Reuters. "After, he will be held in a to-be-determined prison."Ecuadoreans voted in favor of allowing the extradition of citizens in a referendum called by President Noboa, who vowed to crack down on rising March this year, Noboa told the BBC he wants US, European and Brazilian armies to join his "war" against criminal gangs. — BBC
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' to plead not guilty in US after extradition
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Security forces stand outside the National Court of Justice following a hearing for the extradition of Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as \"Fito,\" who on Friday accepted the court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges, in Quito, Ecuador, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo QUITO - Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, known as "Fito," is set to appear in U.S. federal court on Monday, where he will plead not guilty to international charges of drug and weapons trafficking, his lawyer said. Macias, the leader of the Los Choneros gang, was taken out of prison in Ecuador earlier on Sunday to be handed over to U.S. authorities. The U.S. and Ecuadorean governments have not confirmed his extradition. Flight data shows that a U.S. government plane departed from Guayaquil after 2 p.m. local time. "Mr. Macias and I will appear tomorrow before the Brooklyn federal court ... where he will plead not guilty," his lawyer, Alexei Schacht, told Reuters. "After, he will be held in a to-be-determined prison." Macias escaped last year from Ecuadorean prison, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for a slew of crimes. He was recaptured last month. The U.S. Department of Justice has stated that under Macias' direction, Los Choneros committed violent acts against law enforcement, politicians, lawyers, prosecutors and civilians. Ecuador's government says the gang exercises vast control over the nation's prisons, which are plagued by corruption and overcrowding. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore New home owners find kampung spirit on BTO Telegram groups Asia Japan PM's future in doubt after election debacle Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Business Bigger, quieter, greener: High-volume low-speed fans see rising demand in warming Singapore Business DBS hits record high above $47; CDL up after director Philip Yeo announces resignation Singapore What would it take for S'pore to shed the dirty image of its blue recycling bins? Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Ecuadoreans voted in favor of allowing the extradition of citizens in a referendum called by President Daniel Noboa, who has vowed to crack down on rising crime. REUTERS
The Star
15 hours ago
- The Star
Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' taken from prison ahead of extradition
FILE PHOTO: Security forces stand outside the National Court of Justice following a hearing for the extradition of Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito," who on Friday accepted the court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges, in Quito, Ecuador, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Vancouver Whitecaps head to Houston looking to regain their winning form
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Whitecaps are looking to put their Major League Soccer season back on the rails. After enjoying one of the best starts in team history the Whitecaps have lost two MLS matches in a row and four of their last five. The Whitecaps (11-5-5) hope to get back on track Wednesday when they face the Houston Dynamo (7-10-5) in Texas. The 'Caps will then play their fourth game in 11 days when they battle San Diego FC Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium. The game in San Diego will be Vancouver's third consecutive road game after dropping a 3-0 decision to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night. 'We know that we haven't really been as strong as when we started the season,' forward Daniel Rios said after training this week. 'It's part of every team. We don't panic. 'The way we approach these two (games) is try to get the most possible points. We'll do our best.' Back on May 24 the Whitecaps used a 3-2 road victory over Real Salt Lake to extend their unbeaten streak to 14 games across all competitions and nine matches in MLS play. At the time, Vancouver led the league with a 9-1-4 record for 31 points. Vancouver is 3-4-3 in the 10 MLS games since. The Whitecaps sit third in the Western Conference with 38 points, four back of conference leading San Diego, and have slid to eighth overall in the league standings. In their last four losses the Whitecaps have been outscored 13-4 and have given up three or more goals three times, including a 5-3 defeat by San Diego at BC Place Stadium on June 25. 'Colorado wasn't our best,' defender Tate Johnson said. 'We've got time to fix it. 'We know things have got to be better. We're looking forward to putting together two good games next week.' On a positive note, Vancouver used a goal in the 90th minute July 9 to beat Canadian Premier League side Valour FC 2-1 to win their Telus Canadian Champions quarterfinal. The Dynamo are 2-4 in their last six games and sit 10th in the Western Conference with 26 points. 'We know they're a great team,' said Johnson. 'We know they have a lot of threats, they're very well organized. 'We're going to have to make sure we're able to step up and put together a good performance.' Head coach Jesper Sorensen said his team doesn't need an overhaul, just some tinkering. 'We have to perform at a better level than we've done,' said Sorensen. 'It not just regarding structure and discipline. We have to be tougher and get into the game and start them better.' A question facing the Whitecaps is the status of Ecuadorean midfielder Pedro Vite. The team and Vite had agreed on a contract extension through the 2029 season. But Axel Schuster, Vancouver's chief executive officer and sporting director, said the deal included an agreement the team would take into consideration any offers for Vite from other clubs. It has been reported Mexican side Pumas UNAM have approached the Whitecaps about Vite, who is second on the team with four goals and leads with six assists. 'We have received an offer that we are at least considering,' said Schuster. 'We're focusing on the job that is ahead of us. We have a few days where we will go over this. 'It's a little bit unfortunate but it's also what the business is.' Pumas was one of the teams the Whitecaps beat on their journey to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, which they lost to Cruz Azul 5-0. — VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (11-5-5) at HOUSTON DYNAMO (7-10-5) Shell Energy Stadium, Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. ET MAKE IT A DATE: The game will be the Whitecaps' fifth midweek visit to Houston since 2021. COMFORT ZONE: The Whitecaps are 3-0-2 in their last five games in Texas. LAST GAME: The Whitecaps and Dynamo battled to a 1-1 draw in a Sept. 18, 2024, match in Houston. KEEPING IT CLEAN: Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, an MLS all-star, leads the league with nine clean sheets. BACK IN THE LINEUP: Forward Jayden Nelson is back after serving a suspension for receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time for kicking the ball into the stands in frustration during Vancouver's 3-0 loss to the L.A. Galaxy on July 4. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Straits Times
Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' accepts extradition to US
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Jose Adolfo Macias known as \"Fito\", the leader of the Los Choneros criminal group, sits in an armoured personnel carrier after he was recaptured following his escape from a Guayaquil prison in 2024, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on June 26, 2025. Ecuadorean Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo QUITO - Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito," on Friday accepted a court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges. Macias, who escaped from prison in January 2024, was recaptured in late June by security forces in the coastal city of Manta and transferred to a maximum-security prison. "Yes, I accept, your honor," he told the judge presiding over the case, appearing at the hearing virtually. Macias accepting the extradition request will speed up the process, now moving on to the presidency for confirmation before authorities can coordinate with their U.S. counterparts to negotiate the handover. Rejecting the extradition request would have kicked off a potentially months-long process before the head of the National Court of Justice ruled whether or not to hand him over. In Ecuador, Macias was serving a 34-year sentence for various crimes, including drug trafficking, organized crime and murder. Macias will face seven charges, including for drug and arms trafficking, in a U.S. federal court in Brooklyn, New York. These charges were announced months before his recapture. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore ST will have Govt's 'full confidence and support' in its mission: PM Wong Singapore ST will aim to become an indispensable partner to S'pore's communities: Editor Jaime Ho Singapore Wishes for ST beyond 180: Odes to its enduring role in the Singapore story Singapore Heartbeats & Headlines: ST's 180-year legacy comes to life in immersive exhibition Singapore Trusted news, smarter experience with new Straits Times website and app Singapore Community space Stranger Conversations blossoms as 'library of human stories' and life experiences Singapore Man who killed 5-year-old daughter gets life sentence after he appeals against 35-year jail term Singapore Judge declines to void alleged sham marriage in S'pore, says it is for Parliament to decide The U.S. Department of Justice has stated that under Macias' direction, gang Los Choneros committed violent acts against law enforcement, Ecuadorean politicians, lawyers, prosecutors and civilians. Ecuadorean authorities have accused the criminal group of extortion, murder and drug trafficking, and allege it exercises vast control over Ecuador's prisons, which are plagued by crime and overcrowding. The Ecuadorean government had offered a $1 million reward for information leading to his capture. Authorities have also arrested Macias' relatives and seized several of his assets throughout the Andean nation. The extradition of Ecuadoreans was approved in a referendum called by President Daniel Noboa in April 2024. REUTERS
