Fito, the feared Ecuadorian gang leader whose prison escape triggered a serious security crisis in the country, has still not been found since January 7.
The wife and children of the feared leader of the Ecuadorian Los Choneros gang, Adolfo Macias, aka “Fito », on the run and whose escape created a serious security crisis, was arrested in Argentina and deported to Ecuador on Friday, AFP learned from reliable sources.
Inda Mariela Panarietta, 48, and the couple’s children, ages 21, 12 and 4, were arrested in Córdoba (central), Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich told a press conference. According to her, the family of Adolfo Macias, as well as other members of his “Clan», came to settle in an upscale neighborhood of Córdoba on January 5, three days before Fito’s escape from prison in Guayaquil (southwest). “We are proud that Argentina is a hostile territory for the establishment of drug trafficking gangs“, she added.
The minister did not elaborate on the reason behind the arrest and expulsion of Fito’s family, but hinted that “that the decision of the Migration Services has suspended their temporary residence, and made their deportation possible“The plane arrived in the morning at the airport of the major port city of Guayaquil (southwest), under close surveillance, an AFP photographer noted, while Argentine authorities for their part broadcast images of the arrival under police escort. Ecuadorian authorities have yet to No official comment has been made.
“Wanted Everywhere”
escaped from the massive prison complex in Guayaquil on an unknown date, “Fito is now in demand everywhere. Internationally, we have already found his family, (…) who are being taken to Ecuador», announced President Daniel Noboa in a press interview.
According to Ecuadorian news site Primicias, Inda Mariela Panarieta has gone from nurse to super-rich businesswoman in six years. She was investigated in 2020 for money laundering, tax fraud and unfair private enrichment but was not prosecuted. The prosecution is probing the impartiality of the three judges in charge of the investigation. Primicias also claims that Fito’s wife, between 2013 and 2019, received $2.1 million in bank deposits but disclosed only $1.7 million to local tax authorities.
Still according to the same source, Ms Panarietta, her two brothers and two other members of the Fito family were prosecuted for organized crime, criminal conspiracy, murder, weapons possession and theft. Fito’s daughter, Michelle Panarietta, gave her stage name “Queen Michellesings on “, “Narcocido» (a popular song in honor of drug traffickers) in honor of his father, who himself appears in the clip, posted on the YouTube channel and the social network of Los Choneros.
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Still on the run
Fito, who became Ecuador’s most wanted man, is still at large. On Friday, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said:possible» that he is in neighboring Colombia and has “President (Gustavo) asked Petro to activate an intensive search” After the announcement of Fito’s escape on January 7, there were multiple riots in Ecuadorian prisons and scenes of violence in the streets by mobs. President Noboa declared Ecuador under a state of war and sent more than 20,000 troops to restore order.
A massive operation at the Guayaquil penitentiary launched by the military along with police on Thursday continued on Friday, with the army broadcasting images of seized firearms and graffiti and covering up gang-glorifying paintings on trains. In an interview, Guayaquil Police Commander Victor Herrera warned of possible gang retaliation following the expulsion of Fito’s family: “The National Police is alert to any repercussions that may be produced by this capture and other ongoing actions.
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