U.S. and Ecuador sign security agreement to strengthen law enforcement cooperation
By lauraharris // 2025-08-05
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  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa signed a memorandum of understanding on July 31 to launch a law enforcement exchange program aimed at fighting transnational crime and enhancing regional security.
  • The program will embed an Ecuadorian officer within the U.S. National Targeting Center to help identify and intercept dangerous travelers, including terrorists and smugglers, before they reach the United States.
  • Officials discussed joint strategies to combat drug cartels, terrorist networks and illegal migration, and to strengthen international law enforcement coordination.
  • Noem confirmed that Ecuador extradited Jose Adolfo "Fito" Macias Villamar, leader of the violent Los Choneros criminal group, to face federal drug and weapons charges in the United States.
  • Macias Villamar's extradition marks the first time Ecuador has sent one of its own nationals abroad for prosecution, following a 2024 constitutional amendment approved by referendum.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Thursday, July 31, to formalize a new law enforcement exchange program, combating transnational crime and enhancing regional security between the two nations. During the meeting at Ecuador's Carondelet Palace, Noem and Ecuadorian Interior Minister John Reimberg signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a bilateral liaison initiative. Under this initiative, an Ecuadorian security officer will be integrated into U.S. Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center (NTC). The officer's mission will focus on identifying and intercepting dangerous travelers, including terrorists and illicit cargo, en route to the United States. (Related: Mexican drug cartels are behind surge in organized retail crime across the US.) "In the war against drugs and crime, information is our strongest weapon," Noem said in a press release issued the same day. "The NTC works nonstop to catch dangerous individuals, terrorists and gang members attempting to travel to the United States. By implementing this liaison program, we deepen information sharing between our governments, making it easier to identify, track down and interdict threats to both of our countries." The talks covered a broad range of issues, including joint strategies to combat drug cartels, criminal organizations and terrorist groups, as well as initiatives to restrict illegal migration and bolster international law enforcement coordination. Noem also met with Ecuadorian law enforcement personnel and police investigators, exploring new tactics to combat the flow of narcotics and arms throughout the region.

Quito sends gang leader to U.S. to face drug and weapons charges

To highlight the strength of the bilateral cooperation, Noem confirmed that Ecuador extradited Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, known as "Fito," to the U.S. earlier in July. Macias Villamar, a notorious principal leader of Los Choneros – a transnational criminal organization based in Ecuador – is facing a seven-count superseding indictment for crimes including international cocaine distribution, firearms trafficking and conspiracy. Macias Villamar, who allegedly operated as the leader of Los Choneros from at least 2020 to 2025, has been involved in large-scale drug trafficking operations that extended to the U.S. and illicit firearms procurement routed from the U.S. back to Ecuador. Under his direction, Los Choneros allegedly engaged in violence against Ecuadorian police, politicians, prosecutors, attorneys and civilians to protect and expand their operations. Macias Villamar is accused of personally directing this trafficking network and using his influence even while imprisoned. After being incarcerated in Ecuador in 2011 on charges including murder, robbery and drug trafficking, Macias Villamar twice escaped prison, most recently in January 2024, just two days before a planned transfer to a maximum-security facility. His 2024 escape triggered nationwide violence in Ecuador, including riots, bombings, kidnappings and a government-declared state of emergency. He was re-apprehended on June 25, 2025. In line with all this, Noem confirmed that "he will spend the rest of his life in prison." His extradition marks a historic first – the first time Ecuador has extradited one of its own nationals following a constitutional amendment approved by popular referendum in April 2024. Visit NationalSecurity.news for more similar stories. Watch Palki Sharma of Firstpost discussing the Ecuadorian government's declaration of war against the country's criminal gangs below. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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CORRUPTION: How Washington controls Ecuador by preventing prosecution of its U.S.-aligned criminal politicians. Ecuador declares 60-day state of emergency following ASSASSINATION of presidential candidate. VIDEO: Ecuador's exiled ex-president Correa discusses the US lawfare agenda with The Grayzone. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Justice.gov Brighteon.com
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