Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Results for “2027”Clear
Quito has begun a 12-kilometer road rehabilitation package around five Metro Centro Norte stations. The contract covers 86 road segments, nine months of work, and a $6.5 million investment.
Colombia is considering restarting electricity exports to Ecuador, but El Niño could make those sales uncertain from November 2026 into early 2027. The issue matters because the Colombia interconnection can supply about 450 MW, nearly 10% of Ecuador’s average demand.
Ecuador added 10 substances to its controlled list after warnings about synthetic-drug risks and abuse potential. The change also comes with a plan to create 24 provincial committees to coordinate drug policy in the territories.
Quito's Mobility Commission begins debate on a bus-fare ordinance that would set a 40-cent urban fare and 45-cent fare for electric or low-emission buses. The city's prior agreement keeps the 35-cent fare through 2026 with municipal compensation to operators.
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.
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.
Without Colombian electricity and an unreliable Coca Codo Sinclair plant, Ecuador's grid operator projects rolling blackout risk during the October-March dry season. The government is scrambling to rent diesel generators.
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.
Bilateral trade between Ecuador and Colombia fell 44% year-over-year in February 2026, the first month of the tariff war — to just $124.9 million. Ecuadorian imports from Colombia dropped 66%. Exports fell 20%. Pharma imports collapsed 34%, industrial chemicals 48%, and Rumichaca's transport hub has ground to a halt.
The Banco Central del Ecuador raised its 2026 GDP growth projection to 2.5%, up 0.7 points from its September forecast. Inflation is expected at 1.8%, private credit to grow 10%, and the external account to post a $6.4 billion surplus. 2025 closed at 3.7% growth — so momentum is slowing.
An electoral judge suspended Citizens' Revolution (RC), former President Rafael Correa's party, for nine months — just two days after a complaint was filed and without a defense hearing. The timing effectively bars the party from registering candidates for 2027 local elections.
The National Electoral Council unanimously approved the start of the electoral period on February 14, setting the stage for mayoral, prefect, and council elections on February 14, 2027. Campaign season officially begins in January 2027.
