A state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador after one of the country's most famous drug cartel leaders escaped from prison.
Adolfo Macias – also known as Vito – was first reported missing from his cell on Sunday.
EcuadorProsecutors then brought charges against two prison guards as part of their investigation into the alleged escape.
The leader of the Los Choneros gang was serving a 34-year sentence in La Regional Prison for drug trafficking and murder.
His alleged escape occurred on the same day he was scheduled to be transferred to a high-security facility in the city of Guayaquil.
President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency, which will allow authorities to suspend citizens' rights and send the army into prisons.
A state of emergency means that armed forces can enter prisons. Photo: AP
The decree is valid for 60 days, and Noboa said he will confront crime inside the prisons and will not stop until he “restores peace to all Ecuadorians.”
In 2013, Macias escaped from a maximum security prison, but was arrested again a few weeks later. Police are investigating whether his latest escape mirrors one a decade ago.
Los Choneros is one of the gangs that authorities consider responsible for a surge in violence that reached new highs last year with Assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
Read more world news:
The risk of the Israeli conflict spreading “is increasing day by day”
The French Prime Minister resigns
Authorities say the gang has ties to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel.
Mr. Villavicencio had claimed that Los Choneros threatened him, but authorities were unable to charge Macias or his group with being behind the murder.
Even from prison, Macias is believed to have been able to exert influence over the gang, including control of drug trafficking routes and territory.
Since 2021, at least 400 inmates have died inside Ecuadorian prisons, according to authorities.
