75,000 Troops Deployed — Four Coastal Provinces Under Curfew Through March 31

The Situation

President Daniel Noboa announced a nightly curfew in four provinces as part of a new phase of US-backed military operations against organized crime. The deployment is the largest domestic security operation in Ecuador's recent history.

The Details

| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Curfew hours | 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM | | Duration | March 15 through March 31, 2026 | | Provinces | Guayas, El Oro, Los Ríos, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas | | Personnel | 75,000 soldiers and police | | Arrests so far | 253+ for curfew violations |

Which Provinces and Why These

These four provinces cover Ecuador's main drug trafficking corridors:

• Guayas — Ecuador's most populous province, includes Guayaquil, the country's largest city and main port
• El Oro — Southern coastal province bordering Peru, gold mining region
• Los Ríos — Central agricultural province, transit corridor
• Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas — Key transportation hub connecting the sierra to the coast

Notably, Azuay province (Cuenca) is NOT included in the curfew. Neither are Manabí (Manta, Bahía) or Santa Elena (Salinas, Montañita).

The US Role

This operation runs alongside "Operation Total Extermination" — a joint US-Ecuador military campaign launched earlier this month targeting FARC dissident groups and narco-trafficking organizations along the Colombian border.

The US is providing:

• Intelligence and logistical support
• Special forces training for Ecuadorian commandos
• Direct US military participation in some border operations

What This Means for Expats

Flying through Guayaquil: José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport is in Guayas province. If your flight lands after 11 PM or departs before 5 AM, you can still travel to and from the airport — the curfew has exceptions for transit, emergencies, and scheduled transportation. However, expect military checkpoints on highways and near the airport. Carry your passport or cédula.

Driving to the coast: If you're heading from Cuenca to the beach (Playas, Salinas, General Villamil), you'll pass through Guayas. Plan to reach your destination before 11 PM. The Cuenca-Guayaquil highway (via Zhud or Cajas) passes through curfew zones.

El Oro province: Expats in Machala, Puerto Bolívar, or heading to the Peruvian border should avoid nighttime travel.

Santo Domingo: A major transit point between Quito and the coast. If you're driving Quito-to-beach, route through Ambato-Baños-Puyo to avoid the curfew zone, or plan daytime travel.

Bottom line: The curfew ends March 31. Travel during the day and you'll be fine. The military presence actually makes daytime highways safer than usual.

Sources: Washington Post, UPI, ABC News, U.S. Embassy Ecuador