Ecuador news, written for expats

The Jóvenes del Nuevo Ecuador 2026 program offers 3,276 scholarships for higher-education students age 18 to 29. Applications opened June 4 and close June 28 through the official platform.

Ambato bus operators agreed to resume normal service on June 5 after four days of reduced hours. The agreement includes $700 in fuel support for transport operators over six months, pending a June 8 council session.

The U.S. Trade Representative is proposing a 10% tariff for Ecuador and five other economies over enforcement of forced-labor import bans. Public comments are open until July 6, and Ecuador’s current 10% surcharge expires July 24.

HIV patients at Quito's Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital say they have gone more than 15 days without TLD antiretroviral medication. Patient advocates estimate 1,600 HIV patients are treated at HCAM, while national health figures put Ecuador's HIV population at 52,357 people.

Quito's Mobility Commission begins debate on a bus-fare ordinance that would set a 40-cent urban fare and 45-cent fare for electric or low-emission buses. The city's prior agreement keeps the 35-cent fare through 2026 with municipal compensation to operators.

A strengthening coastal El Nino episode off Peru could reach Ecuadorian waters within two weeks. Ocean-monitoring indicators show Nino 1+2 approaching +3 C, while some sea-surface readings reached 6.4 C above average.