Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Ecuador’s ANT says the expired-license grace period ends June 30, 2026. Drivers with renewal appointments after that date can use special Saturday service on June 20 and 27 from 08:00 to 16:00 if they go to the same agency with their printed appointment and required documents.
Ecuador opened registration on June 18 for public technological institutes and higher conservatories. The process runs through June 22, 2026, for applicants who completed the Registro Nacional and want to continue in the public technical education admissions process.
Ecuador launched a national policy for 2026-2035 to reduce adolescent pregnancy, keep girls in school and coordinate health, education and social services. The country records more than 32,200 births each year among girls and adolescents ages 10-19.
A group seeking a recall process against President Daniel Noboa asked Ecuador's electoral authority for signature forms on June 9. The process would require support from 15% of the electoral roll, representing more than two million signatures nationwide.
President Daniel Noboa named Roberto Kury as Ecuador's new foreign minister after Gabriela Sommerfeld resigned for personal and health reasons. The change matters to expats because the Foreign Ministry oversees mobility, consular services, visas, and Ecuador's international agenda.
Primicias reports Quito is drafting rules for bus operators to raise the fare from $0.35 to $0.40. One proposed condition is a second mandatory safety inspection for more than 3,300 city buses.
El Telegrafo reports that scientists identified Microeledone galapagensis, a small blue deep-sea octopus first collected near Darwin Island during a 2015 expedition with the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park Directorate.
President Daniel Noboa said the Quito Metro expansion will start during this period, while El Comercio reports the La Ofelia extension remains in definitive studies and still needs total-financing authorization from the national government.
President Daniel Noboa announced a $460 million plan to protect the Ecuadorian Amazon over 17 years through the Biocorredor Amazonico, with funding aimed at protected areas, ranger capacity, biodiversity monitoring, control systems and sustainable tourism.
Paola Sangolqui of Fundacion Jocotoco won the 2026 Whitley Prize for work protecting the critically endangered Galapagos petrel, with funds aimed at safeguarding nests in agricultural areas of Santa Cruz.
Ecuador's National Assembly approved a new marine-coastal governance law on May 21. Expreso reports it creates tools to protect breaking waves, regulate maritime activities and catalog important surf zones.
Executive Decree 383 shifts the Comisión Estratégica de Marcas to the Production, Foreign Trade and Investment ministry, replacing a 2011-era structure. The reframe moves Ecuador's international promotion away from a tourism focus toward investment and trade.
