Ecuador gang leader accepts extradition to US

Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as "Fito", on Friday accepted a court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges.

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Macias, who escaped from prison in January 2024, was recaptured in late June by security forces in the coastal city of Manta and transferred to a maximum-security prison.

"Yes, I accept, your honour," he told the judge presiding over the case, appearing at the hearing virtually.

Macias accepting the extradition request will speed up the process, now moving on to the presidency for confirmation before authorities can coordinate with their US counterparts to negotiate the handover.