Ecuadorian criminal underworld: The story of rapper Gio and Los Choneros leader Fito

Jorge Mora Villamar, known as Gio, was a rapper, producer, and DJ from Guayaquil who became a key figure in the inner circle of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, the leader of the Los Choneros criminal organization. Gio’s involvement in the music industry served as a bridge to the criminal underworld, where he witnessed the transformation of Ecuador from a peaceful nation into one of the most violent in South America.

Gio described how the Choneros mafia utilized a “digital war” through a network of musicians to complement street-level gang warfare. He provided insights into the alliances and betrayals that fueled the country's ongoing period of brutal violence. Following his accounts of the mafia's structure, Gio was murdered by unknown gunmen who fired 28 shots into his vehicle.