News Archive

Ecuador News

Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community

All Breaking Politics Economy Visa & Immigration Safety Lifestyle Real Estate Healthcare Culture

All Regions Quito Cuenca Guayaquil Coast Vilcabamba Amazon Galapagos National

Results for “international cooperation”Clear

Ecuador Constitutional Court Upholds June State Of Exception

Ecuador’s Constitutional Court issued a favorable opinion on the state of exception declared by President Daniel Noboa. The measure validates Executive Decree 423, signed June 16, for 60 days.

Chip Moreno·3d ago

safety

Noboa Decree Opens Door to Allied Troops in Ecuador

President Daniel Noboa issued Executive Decree 424 on June 18, opening a path for allied foreign military personnel to support Ecuador’s security operations. Officials say foreign troops are not expected immediately, while 13,000 Ecuadorian military personnel are being deployed to Guayas, Manabí, El Oro and Los Ríos.

Chip Moreno·June 19, 2026

politics

Roberto Kury Named Ecuador Foreign Minister After Sommerfeld Resigns

President Daniel Noboa named Roberto Kury as Ecuador's new foreign minister after Gabriela Sommerfeld resigned for personal and health reasons. The change matters to expats because the Foreign Ministry oversees mobility, consular services, visas, and Ecuador's international agenda.

Chip Moreno·June 8, 2026

politics

Canciller Sommerfeld's 2025 Report: 107 Bilateral Agreements, $343.9M in Cooperation, 529,685 Visa Appointments

Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld released Ecuador's 2025 foreign affairs report, highlighting 107 bilateral instruments signed, $343.9 million in non-reimbursable international cooperation, 529,685 online visa appointments, and a 97.98% budget execution rate. The headline policy win: more than 7,400 tariff lines going to 0% under the US trade deal.

Chip Moreno·April 14, 2026

safety

Homicides Down 28% in March -- Government Claims Progress From Record Baseline

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.

Chip Moreno·April 6, 2026

safety

Ecuador Signs Europol Security Deal — First Latin American Country

Ecuador became the first Latin American country to sign a security cooperation agreement with Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency. Published in the Official Register on March 30, the deal enables joint operations against transnational organized crime and has already produced results -- including the dismantling of a cocaine network tied to Los Lobos and Albanian criminal organizations.

Chip Moreno·April 4, 2026

safety

Europol-Ecuador Joint Operation Dismantles Los Lobos Drug Network -- 7+ Tonnes of Cocaine Seized

A joint Europol-Ecuador operation dismantled a Los Lobos-linked trafficking network, seizing 3.7 tonnes of cocaine in the Netherlands, 3+ tonnes in Belgium, and over half a tonne in Ecuador. 16 arrested including a high-value target. $810,000 in cash confiscated.

Chip Moreno·March 31, 2026

safety

"Los Lobos" Leader Arrested in Mexico City — The Man Accused of Ordering the Villavicencio Assassination

Angel Esteban Aguilar, known as "Lobo Menor," was captured at Mexico City's airport with a fake Colombian passport. He's the alleged mastermind behind the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio — and the leader of one of Ecuador's most dangerous criminal organizations.

Chip Moreno·March 20, 2026

safety

Los Lobos Leader Arrested in Mexico — Suspect in Fernando Villavicencio's Assassination

Angel Esteban Aguilar, known as 'Lobo Menor' and alleged mastermind behind the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, was arrested at Mexico City's airport using a fake Colombian passport. He's been extradited to Colombia.

Chip Moreno·March 19, 2026

safety

State of Emergency Extended — Ecuador Remains Under Security Decree Across 9 Provinces

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.'

Chip Moreno·February 24, 2026