Ecuadorian gang leader 'Javi,' brother of 'Fito,' captured in Colombia

Colombian authorities have captured Ronald Javier Macías Villamar, known as "Javi," identified as a principal leader of the Ecuadorian criminal group "Los Choneros." He is the brother of the organization's supreme leader, José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias "Fito."

Colombia's Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez Suárez, confirmed the arrest in Bogotá, describing "Javi" as a dangerous criminal who was attempting to hide in Colombia to continue his illicit activities. "Last night we captured alias Javi, a dangerous criminal, successor and brother of alias Fito, who intended to hide here to continue offending," Sánchez Suárez stated during a press conference. He characterized the detention as another significant blow against transnational organized crime networks.

Minister Sánchez Suárez also recalled the Colombian authorities' capture of "Fede," another "Los Choneros" member, in Medellín last October. "Fede" had escaped from an Ecuadorian prison, and a reward of up to one million dollars was offered for his capture. The minister highlighted that "Javi's" arrest was made possible through cooperation between the Colombian Police, Ecuadorian authorities, and intelligence agencies from both nations, asserting, "When nations unite, criminals lose."

Ecuador's Fiscalía (Prosecutor's Office) announced that "Javi" will be extradited to Ecuador, where he faces charges for alleged money laundering and is sought via an Interpol red notice. Ecuadorian authorities maintain that Macías Villamar led the international expansion operations of "Los Choneros" and resided in Colombia under a false identity. He is also part of an investigation into alleged money laundering exceeding $25 million derived from illicit activities. The capture occurs amid Ecuador's intensified efforts to dismantle "Los Choneros," identified by President Daniel Noboa's government as a key organization responsible for the escalating violence in the Andean nation.