Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
The ACLED Conflict Watchlist 2026 ranks Ecuador among the planet’s most dangerous nations. Over 3,600 people died from organized crime violence in 2025 — a 42% increase — and 71% of the population was exposed to criminal violence, the highest rate in Latin America.
Ecuador’s TB crisis went from bad to alarming in 2025. Deaths jumped 127%, confirmed cases rose 67% to 9,142, and health experts warn this is no longer just a prison problem — community transmission is driving the surge.
Heavy rains have inundated 700 hectares of farmland in Guayas province, putting approximately 38,000 agricultural producers at risk. Rice, corn, and cacao crops are the most affected as the rainy season intensifies heading into Carnival weekend.
The Metropolitan Traffic Agency will blanket Quito with 711 officers, 36 control points on major highways, and monitoring at 63 high-traffic locations from February 13-17. Drunk driving operations, terminal coverage, and restrictions on ‘chivas’ party buses are all in effect.
Vice President María José Pinto launched Ecuador's 2026 National Dengue Plan and Gran Minga Comunitaria, targeting 1,532 critical sectors across seven provinces that accounted for 40% of last year's cases. Rainy season interventions begin immediately in Esmeraldas, Guayas, Santa Elena, Manabí, El Oro, Napo, and Pastaza.
Ecuador's health regulator ARCSA ordered the preventive withdrawal of 34 lots of Alula Gold Premium infant formula after an international alert flagged possible contamination with cereulide, a bacterial toxin that causes digestive illness. No health effects have been reported in Ecuador.
Gunmen opened fire at the artisanal fishing pier in San Vicente, Manabí, on February 9, killing at least four fishermen and injuring one. The attack occurred in a canton under an active state of emergency and raises fresh concerns about safety in Ecuador's coastal beach towns.
President Noboa declared a fresh state of emergency on January 2 covering nine provinces and three municipalities after a mass shooting in Manta. Military operations target Los Lobos, Los Choneros, and Los Tiguerones. Here's what it means for daily life.
A ruptured sewage main in Malacatos discharged untreated wastewater into the river for three days. Downstream communities including Vilcabamba are under a boil-water advisory. Here's what expats need to know.
Ecuador's meteorological agency is forecasting persistent heavy rains with intense storm events affecting the coast, Amazon, and parts of the Sierra through at least February 8. Flooding and landslide risks remain elevated.
Ecuador recorded 9,216 intentional homicides in 2025 - an average of 25 per day. Here's where the violence is concentrated and which areas remain safe for expats.
Guayaquil's expanded urban security initiative appears to be paying off, with municipal data showing a 30% reduction in street crime across the city's commercial and tourist districts.
