A senior member of Ecuador’s notorious Los Choneros criminal gang has been shot dead after armed men posing as police officers attacked his home on Sunday.
Authorities identified the victim as 35-year-old David Macías, the brother of jailed drug kingpin Adolfo Macías, widely known by the alias “Fito”. Police said David served as a regional leader within Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal organizations.
According to investigators, the attackers arrived at a house David Macías had rented in the coastal town of Olón while wearing clothing similar to police uniforms. They opened fire before escaping the scene. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Security officials say the motive has not yet been confirmed. However, they note that violent attacks involving senior gang members are often linked to rival criminal groups or internal disputes over leadership and control.
Adolfo “Fito” Macías, the former head of Los Choneros, is currently awaiting trial in the United States after being extradited from Ecuador last year. The United States has designated Los Choneros as a Foreign Terrorist Organization because of its alleged role in drug trafficking and organized crime.
Police records show that David Macías pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy in 2018. During his imprisonment, authorities believe he helped expand the gang’s influence by recruiting inmates and strengthening its control inside the prison system.
The killing follows a series of setbacks for Los Choneros. Last month, another of the Macías brothers, Javier, was arrested in neighboring Colombia. In a separate incident, a local gang leader was fatally shot outside Guayaquil International Airport by two teenage attackers who reportedly concealed their weapons inside stuffed toys and a bouquet of flowers.
The latest attack highlights the continuing violence linked to organized crime in Ecuador, where rival gangs continue to battle for influence despite ongoing security operations by the government.
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