According to the Judicial Journalists’ Circle and several local media outlets, Suing sent Noboa the ruling on the case, and now only the Executive branch’s ratification is required for the transfer.

While the government has the power to ratify, modify, or deny the sentence, the head of State and his ministers have repeatedly reiterated their intention to extradite Fito, leader of the Los Choneros gang.

Once the Executive Branch ratifies the decision, the United States and Ecuador must agree on the date, time, and other conditions for the extradition.

Last week, the defendant’s extradition hearing took place.

He agreed to be prosecuted in the United States for several crimes, including conspiracy for trafficking cocaine internationally and the use of firearms for drug trafficking.

The day before, it was known that the US authorities issued a certification of guarantees, pledging not to sentence him to the death penalty or subject him to torture or cruel and inhuman treatment.”

The drug trafficker is currently being held in the maximum-security La Roca prison in Guayaquil after being recaptured in an operation on June 25 in the province of Manabí, where he had a bunker to hide after his escape in January 2024.

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