Notorious Mafioso Disappears from Ecuadorian Prison, State of Emergency Declared

A notorious mafioso has vanished from an Ecuadorian prison, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency in the country. This was reported by the Russian service of BBC News.

Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, had been incarcerated for 12 years while simultaneously leading the powerful criminal organization 'Los Choneros' (The People from Chone). His cell is located in a part of the Guayaquil prison that is theoretically supposed to be under strict security.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has declared a state of emergency for a period of 60 days, which includes, among other measures, a temporary ban on public gatherings and a curfew.

'Narcoterrorist groups want to intimidate us and believe that we will yield to their demands. But we will not negotiate with terrorists, and we will not rest until peace is established in the country,' President Noboa stated.

The 35-year-old Daniel Noboa won the presidential election last October, just a few months ago. During the campaign, one of the candidates, former journalist and anti-mafia fighter Fernando Villavicencio, was assassinated, and Los Choneros, along with Fito himself, are suspected of being involved in this crime.