Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
A strengthening coastal El Nino episode off Peru could reach Ecuadorian waters within two weeks. Ocean-monitoring indicators show Nino 1+2 approaching +3 C, while some sea-surface readings reached 6.4 C above average.
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.
Risk officials warned that 14 beaches in Esmeraldas, Manabi and Santa Elena would carry red flags on May 19. Primicias reports the warning is tied to an aguaje phase that moved the sea from moderate to agitated conditions.
The militarization of Puerto Bolívar has surfaced the human cost: at least 300 families forcibly displaced, criminal group Los Lobos occupying up to 500 homes, and the terminal tied to 10.8 tons — 11.24% — of drugs seized nationally. Over 1,000 troops are searching 1,642 homes.
Armed forces, police, and intelligence services deployed to Puerto Bolívar in El Oro province for a major operation against criminal structures controlling the port. Defense Minister Loffredo says groups are using the port to ship drugs and extort fishermen.
Ecuador is investing USD 3 million in a new 24,000 m² Naval Station at Posorja, deploying coast guard, marine infantry, and naval aviation across the approaches to Guayaquil's export ports. Operational by 2027, possibly late 2026.
Coastal residents report electricity bills climbing from $80 to $155, $126 to $400, and $130 to $280 in a single cycle. President Noboa announced a subsidy covering up to 180 kWh per household in heat-affected zones, worth roughly $20 per bill, appearing on May statements.
Guayaquil's water utility Interagua will suspend service across large parts of the city and the Daule corridor this weekend for maintenance. Cuts run from Saturday April 18 at 10 PM through Sunday April 19, with some sectors out until 3 PM. Here's the sector-by-sector breakdown.
Peak demand on the Ecuadorian electrical grid hit 5,333 MW on April 10 — roughly 20% above normal, and enough to trigger rolling blackouts across Guayaquil, Daule, and Samborondón. The Ministry of Environment and Energy suspended all scheduled grid maintenance on April 14 to free up capacity. Here's what's happening and what to expect.
Two armed attacks in fewer than 15 days have shaken Salinas — Ecuador's best-known beach resort. Seven people were wounded in the Sunday attack on the malecón, and the canton has now recorded 13 homicides so far in 2026, two of them along the waterfront. Governor Xavier Negrete says he has formally notified Interior Minister John Reimberg. Here's what's known.
Interagua is cutting water to more than 30 sectors across southern Guayaquil on Tuesday April 14 from 6 AM to 2 PM to repair a pipeline leak in the Coviem sector. The full list of affected neighborhoods includes Jaime Roldós, Guasmo, Coviem, Santa Mónica, and dozens more.
Ecuador's Minister of Environment and Energy, Inés Manzano, confirmed scheduled power interruptions in Guayas province on two additional Sundays, running from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM, for maintenance work at the Dos Cerritos substation. Affected areas include Guayaquil, Samborondón, Santa Lucía, Pedro Carbo, and Daule.
