Ecuador’s Financial Sanctions Evasion Under Scrutiny as US Imposes New Restrictions on Violent Gang
Washington D.C. - The United States has imposed new financial sanctions against one of Ecuador’s most notorious gangs, Los Choneros, and its leader José Adolfo MacÃas Villamar in an effort to combat escalating violence and drug trafficking in the country.
New Sanctions Aim to Disrupt Drug Trafficking Organizations
The sanctions, announced on February 7, 2024, were made by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under Executive Order 14059. Los Choneros and MacÃas Villamar have been designated for their role in facilitating the international proliferation of illicit drugs.
Background on Los Choneros
Los Choneros, a gang with roots dating back to the 1990s, has been linked to widespread violence and drug trafficking in Ecuador. The group is accused of controlling key cocaine trafficking routes through the country and providing security services to powerful Mexican drug cartels.
Leader MacÃas Villamar’s History
MacÃas Villamar, also known as “Fito,” is a founding member of Los Choneros and has been the gang’s leader since 2020. He was previously sentenced to 34 years in prison for crimes including murder and drug trafficking but escaped from his cell in January 2024.
Impact of Sanctions
The sanctions will effectively freeze any assets held by Los Choneros and MacÃas Villamar in the United States, as well as prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them. This move is seen as a major blow to the gang’s ability to operate and launder money.
Quotes from Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson
“The actions of drug trafficking gangs like Los Choneros threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities in Ecuador and throughout the region,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “We stand in support of Ecuador in its fight against drug trafficking and will continue to work with our international partners to disrupt these illegal activities.”
Related News
The sanctions come amid a surge in violence in Ecuador, which has seen record levels of gang-driven violence, including the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio and widespread corruption.
In related news, a $5 million reward remains in place for information leading to the arrest or conviction of those behind Villavicencio’s assassination. The U.S. Department of State issued the reward in September 2023 under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.