Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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A heavy downpour on Thursday, June 11, flooded streets in Ibarra and Atuntaqui, with water rising above half a meter in some areas. In Cotacachi, farmers in Peribuela reported damaged corn and fruit crops after the storm and hail.
Ecuador's weather service flagged moderate-to-heavy rain, electrical storms, strong wind gusts and flooding risk from 4:00 p.m. May 17 until noon May 20, spanning coastal, highland and Amazon provinces. Here's who's affected and what to do.
From May 3-10, security forces conducted 221 raids across nine provinces. Over 400 people were identified as members of criminal organizations.
The curfew that started May 3 is producing results — 500+ detained in the first two days, including 80+ wanted individuals captured during enforcement operations. Here is what has changed since our initial guide.
An 11 PM to 5 AM curfew is in effect across nine provinces and four cantons through May 18. No safe-conduct passes will be issued. Here is everything expats need to know, from affected areas to the only exemptions that exist.
President Noboa's latest curfew runs May 3–18 from 11 PM to 5 AM across nine provinces including Pichincha and Guayas. Azuay, Loja, and Imbabura are not on the list. Here's the full breakdown.
A Sunday afternoon hailstorm dumped 40+ cm of ice on Ecuador's northernmost city. Neighborhoods across southern Tulcán flooded, two landslides closed the E-35 highway, and emergency crews are still clearing damage.
President Noboa declared a 15-day curfew from 11 PM to 5 AM covering Pichincha, Guayas, Manabí, and six other provinces plus four cantons. No salvoconducts. Business groups say the last curfew cost exporters $200 million.
Ecuador's Instituto Geofísico recorded three earthquakes in a 14-hour window across April 20-21, including a 5.2 magnitude quake centered near Cotacachi felt in nine provinces. No damage has been reported. A good moment to review preparedness.
President Noboa signed Decreto 353 on April 2, declaring a 60-day state of exception across nine provinces and four cantons. Warrantless searches are now legal in affected areas, though no curfew has been imposed. Expats in Pichincha, Guayas, Manabi, and other covered provinces should understand what rights have been suspended.
Ecuador's Interior Ministry reports a 28% decline in homicides for March 2026, alongside 4,300 arrests and 2,200 warrants executed. The numbers represent real progress, but the baseline is staggering: 2025 saw 9,216 homicides, making Ecuador one of the deadliest countries in Latin America.
President Noboa signed Decree 353 on April 2, declaring a 60-day state of emergency across 9 provinces and 4 additional cantons. Unlike the previous emergency that ended March 30, this renewal does not include a curfew -- but it does authorize police raids and suspends home inviolability in affected areas.
