Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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Ecuador's International Artisan Biennial has activated across four host cities, showcasing traditional and contemporary craftsmanship. The event coincides with Cuenca's Foundation Week and features exhibitions, live demonstrations, and direct-purchase opportunities from artisans.
Colombian singer-songwriter Andrés Cepeda brings his 'Nuestra Vida en Canciones' tour to Ecuador this week with back-to-back shows: Guayaquil on Wednesday April 9 at the Coliseo Voltaire Paladines Polo, and Quito on Thursday April 10 at the Coliseo General Rumiñahui.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit 55 km east of Santa Elena early Saturday morning, April 4. The tremor was felt across six provinces including Guayas, but caused no structural damage, injuries, or tsunami alert. Here's what happened and what expats on the coast should know.
Ecuador's monthly fuel price adjustment on April 12 could push low-octane gasoline past the $3/gallon mark for the first time in history. Extra and Ecopaís currently sit at $2.89/gallon; with the 5% monthly cap, they could reach $3.03. Diesel may hit $2.96. The driver: global oil price spikes from the Strait of Hormuz disruption.
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.
Ecuador's Semana Santa holiday generated an estimated 800,000 domestic trips and $70 million in economic activity. Manta led all destinations with 158,000 visitors and 80% hotel occupancy, while Amazon lodges hit 90%. A temporary VAT cut to 8% for tourism services sweetened the deal.
Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport will close its runway for 12 hours on Saturday, April 11 for preventive maintenance. All flights between 2:00 AM and 2:00 PM will be affected. Airlines are rebooking, but travelers should confirm their itineraries now.
A Trans Esmeraldas interprovincial bus overturned on the E20 highway during Semana Santa travel, injuring more than 20 passengers. A separate crash in Colta killed 2. The incidents underscore the persistent dangers of Ecuador's highway system during peak holiday travel periods.
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Easter message from the Vatican, calling on the world to reject indifference to violence and suffering. For Ecuador's deeply Catholic population, the new Pope's words carry particular weight during a Semana Santa marked by ongoing security challenges.
Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health has launched dengue prevention interventions across 1,500 critical sectors in seven provinces, with 945 confirmed cases reported in early 2026. Sucumbios, Guayas, Esmeraldas, and Pichincha are the hardest hit as the rainy season continues.
Mazar, the critical reservoir feeding Ecuador's largest hydroelectric complex, has fallen to just 22 meters above its operational minimum. With the dry season outlook uncertain, the specter of the 2024 blackouts -- when Ecuadorians lived through 14-hour daily power cuts -- is back on the table.
