Ecuador Orders Reopening Of Loja’s Southern Border At Macará

Ecuador is reopening the southern border in Loja.

Government Minister Nataly Morillo said President Daniel Noboa ordered the reopening after more than six months of closure for security reasons.

The confirmation came Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Why It Was Closed

Morillo said the temporary closure of the southern border was intended to contain weapons trafficking and reinforce state control.

She said that after evaluating the results of the measure, Noboa ordered the reopening. She also said the Security Bloc will remain deployed in the zone to maintain border control and protect Ecuadorian families.

The closure at the Macará International Bridge in Loja had been in place since December 24, 2025.

What This Means For Expats

For residents in southern Ecuador, this is a travel and border-control story to watch. Macará is one of the key Loja-side crossings with Peru, so reopening can matter for people moving between southern Ecuador and northern Peru.

The important caveat is that reopening does not mean the border becomes unmonitored. The government says the Security Bloc will continue in the area.