José Adolfo Macías, also known as “Fito”, the leader of Ecuador’s most notorious cartel Los Choneros, has marked a significant milestone in regional cooperation against transnational crime by agreeing to be extradited to the United States (USA). After a highly challenging manhunt, Fito was captured on June 25, 2025, in a hideout in Manta. He now faces seven federal charges in Brooklyn, including cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and arms trafficking linked with the Sinaloa cartel.[i] Fito’s decision to accept extradition not only reflects his personal concerns about security in Ecuadorian prisons, where he has escaped twice, but also signifies the implementation of the 2024 Referendum under President Daniel Noboa, which paved the way for such cooperation.
The extradition of criminals carries multi-layered diplomatic significance. Especially domestically, it strengthens Noboa’s image as a leader combating widespread gang violence and corruption. Internationally, it reaffirms Ecuador’s alignment with U.S. legal frameworks and acknowledges the transnational nature of drug and weapons networks. This case exemplifies a regional shift from sovereignty-based reluctance toward pragmatic alignment with U.S. and international law enforcement goals in adopting extradition practices.
The Fito case is noteworthy not only within the context of combating organized crime in Latin America but also as a demonstration of how geoeconomic and strategic diplomatic tools are being deployed amid shifting global power dynamics. USA’s recent foreign policy approach has moved beyond conventional diplomatic tools, increasingly highlighting economic sanctions and military aid. This trend became particularly evident during President Trump’s administration. A concrete example of this strategic orientation is the provision of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, funded by Europe. Similarly, the threat of imposing tariffs up to 100% on Russia in the absence of peace underscores how Washington employs economic pressure as a foreign policy instrument.[ii] These practices reveal that the U.S. seeks to expand its global influence not only through traditional diplomatic discourse but also through economic and military levers. In this context, Fito’s extradition can be interpreted as part of broader geopolitical strategies beyond the fight against non-state actors in Latin America.
Moreover, Fito’s extradition aligns with the United States’ broader strategy of targeting organized crime networks beyond traditional state-actor frameworks, thereby projecting a form of legal soft power.[iii] Economic and legal instruments (tariffs, sanctions, and extraditions) now occupy a central place in statecraft alongside military deployments. By prosecuting cartel leaders abroad, the U.S. aims to disrupt supply chains, reduce violence, and reaffirm the reach of judicial institutions, signaling that alignment with international law yields both protection and results.
This approach stands in contrast with emerging authoritarian alliances. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during his visit to Pyongyang, explicitly warned against the trilateral security cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, while simultaneously strengthening ties with North Korea, including potential military and munitions support.[iv] Meanwhile, China is stepping into the vacuum once held by Washington in Latin America through infrastructure and aid initiatives. These shifts in balancing powers suggest that U.S. engagement even in criminal matters must be framed as strategic investment rather than unilateral imposition. In Asia, the U.S.-Japan alliance is being tested by Trump’s trade stance.
At the same time, India and China are taking steps toward rapprochement. During the recent meeting between China’s and India’s foreign ministers, progress was highlighted in easing border tensions, serving as a form of regional diplomacy concurrent with U.S.-China rivalry.[v] In Europe, amidst uncertainty over U.S. commitments, the bloc is enhancing its strategic autonomy through the “Readiness 2030” defense initiative, amounting to €800 billion for collective security.
Within this complex environment, Fito’s extradition exemplifies a form of geostrategic partnership that complements military and economic engagements: Legal Cooperation. By extraditing Fito, Ecuador deepens its security ties with the United States, while the U.S. demonstrates its global judicial reach against illicit networks. This cooperation suggests that law enforcement collaboration can serve as a stabilizing architecture even amidst global fragmentation characterized by great power competition and shifting alliances.
As the international order is being recalibrated, three key lessons emerge: first, criminal networks operate across borders and necessitate transnational legal interventions. Second, geopolitical rivalry now encompasses legal and economic tools. Third, regional states that were once cautious are now embracing global cooperation as a means of bolstering legitimacy and public safety.
In conclusion, Fito’s extradition is not merely a criminal proceeding. It represents a nexus where domestic politics, international diplomacy, legal norms, and geopolitical strategy converge, reflecting how middle powers and global actors navigate in an increasingly fragmented and strategic world.
[i] “El narco ecuatoriano alias ‘Fito’ acepta su extradición a Estados Unidos”, El Pais, https://elpais.com/america/2025-07-11/el-narco-ecuatoriano-alias-fito-acepta-su-extradicion-a-estados-unidos.html, (Date Accessed: 14.07.2025)
[ii] “Trump confirms new weapons deal for Ukraine and threatens ‘severe’ tariffs on Russia if war doesn’t end in 50 days – as it happened”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/14/europe-ukraine-russia-donald-trump-tariff-latest-live-news-updates, (Date Accessed: 14.07.2025).
[iii] “The US Just Unsealed Drugs and Weapons Charges Against Ecuadorian Gang Boss ‘Fito’”, Insight Crime, https://insightcrime.org/news/indictment-ecuador-most-wanted-criminal-is-shift-security-policy/, (Date Accessed: 14.07.2025).
[iv] “Russia warns US, South Korea and Japan against forming security alliance targeting North Korea”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-lavrov-us-27e06451ab945fbfc74d9703fac7b581, (Date Accessed: 14.07.2025).
[v] “Jaishankar meets Chinese counterpart: EAM says India-China relations improved in past 9 months; raises border, de-escalation issues”, Times of India, https://shorturl.at/uJmeA,(Date Accessed: 14.07.2025).
