Colombian authorities captured Ronald Javier Macías Villamar, alias “Javi” and brother of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias “Fito”, leader of the Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Choneros.

The arrest was carried out in Colombian territory as a result of a coordinated operation between security agencies of both countries.

According to information released by Ecuadorian authorities, “Javi” was wanted by the Ecuadorian justice system for the crimes of money laundering and organized crime. A red notification from Interpol weighed on him, a mechanism that allowed his location and capture outside his country.

The Minister of the Interior of Ecuador, John Reimberg, confirmed the arrest and highlighted the international collaboration that made it possible to locate the alleged member of the criminal structure linked to Los Choneros.

Investigations indicate that Macías Villamar had participated in financial operations aimed at hiding resources from illicit activities.

The authorities also indicated that the detainee would have used Colombian documentation with a different identity while he remained in that country, a situation that is part of the ongoing investigations.

The capture occurs almost a year after the recapture of alias “Fito”, considered one of the most wanted drug traffickers in Ecuador and leader of Los Choneros, an organization accused by authorities of maintaining links with international drug trafficking networks.

After his arrest, Ronald Javier Macías Villamar is expected to face a judicial process to define his eventual extradition or surrender to the Ecuadorian authorities, who seek to prosecute him for the crimes attributed to him.