Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Despite a 2023 referendum and an Inter-American Court of Human Rights order to stop drilling, Ecuador continues pumping 44,000 barrels per day from Block 43 in Yasuní National Park. HRW documented 29 oil spills and contaminated water affecting uncontacted indigenous groups.
Holy Week runs March 29 to April 5. Good Friday (April 3) is a national holiday. Banks close, highways jam, ATMs run dry. Here's everything you need to know — from Quito's processions to beach town crowds to sierra road conditions.
The United States and Ecuador have concluded negotiations on a historic Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) that eliminates the 15% surcharge on roughly half of Ecuador's non-petroleum exports — worth $3.2 billion annually. The deal shields Ecuadorian flowers, bananas, cacao, and seafood from the new 10% global US tariff.
At a 54-nation Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, the US formally recognized Ecuador's rare earth elements, copper, and gold deposits as strategically important — unlocking up to $10 billion in EXIM Bank financing and DFC investment guarantees for mining development.
Canadian mining giant Lundin Gold announced a $100 million exploration budget for 2026, targeting 133,000 meters of drilling across its concessions in Zamora Chinchipe province. The investment aims to extend the life of its flagship Fruta del Norte gold mine as gold prices surge toward record highs.
Ecuador's 60-day state of emergency declared January 1 has been extended for an additional 30 days across nine provinces and three municipalities. With a record 9,000 homicides in 2025, President Noboa is doubling down on military deployments as the country remains in a declared state of 'internal armed conflict.'
Ecuador's Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor) projects 6-7% export growth for 2026, a significant slowdown from the 18% surge in 2025. Headwinds include US tariff uncertainty, the Colombia trade dispute, and falling cacao prices — but the new US trade deal and flower sector expansion offer upside.
Cuenca's creative community just made history. 'Chulla Vida,' a seven-episode comedy miniseries produced entirely in Cuenca with a 69-person local crew and filmed across 42 iconic city locations, premiered on February 19 on Ecuador's leading streaming platform Ecuavisa Play.
Cuenca has become the third Ecuadorian city to adopt a formal climate action plan, covering electric bus deployment and water source protection. Bloomberg Philanthropies has awarded the city $150,000 for youth-led environmental projects as Cuenca enters 2026 under a dramatically different hydrological reality.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible across all of Ecuador on March 3, 2026. The moon will turn a deep red during approximately 58 minutes of totality, with the entire event lasting over five hours. Here is everything you need to know to watch it.
Ecuador's most famous Carnival celebration takes over the highland city of Guaranda on March 4-5, with parades, music, water fights, traditional food, and rivers of Chicha de Jora. Here is your complete guide to experiencing Ecuador's biggest party.
Pawkar Raymi, the ancient Kichwa festival celebrating the flowering of crops and the spring equinox, returns to the indigenous communities around Otavalo in mid-to-late March 2026. Centered in the village of Peguche, it is Ecuador's most authentic indigenous cultural celebration.
