Los Choneros | |
Founded | 2005 |
---|---|
Founded by | Jorge Bismark Véliz España |
Founding location | Chone, Ecuador |
Years active | 2005−present |
Ethnicity | Ecuadorians |
Leader(s) | Jorge Véliz X (2005–2007) Jorge Luis Zambrano (2007–2020) X José Adolfo Macías Villamar[1] (since 2020) |
Criminal activities | |
Allies | Sinaloa Cartel Clan del Golfo[2] Urías Rondón Front[3] |
Rivals |
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Los Choneros is an organized crime syndicate and drug cartel based in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, with a notable presence along much of the country's coastline. The gang is known for its involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking, extortion, and robbery. Many of its members have been on the Ecuadorian most wanted list and its original leaders have been imprisoned or killed. Their main business is moving cocaine to the United States.
On 9 January 2024, an armed conflict in Ecuador broke out after gangleader José Villamar escaped from prison and around 30 top officials were arrested by an anti-corruption and drug trafficking operation.[4] The country's government declared a situation of inner war against several organized crime groups, most notably Los Choneros.