Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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Police and prosecutors detained Jipijapa Mayor Angela Plua and 12 others in Operation Digitador, an investigation into alleged irregular vehicle paperwork in Manabi. Authorities said the case involved 18 raids and suspected losses above $5 million.
Ambato bus operators agreed to resume normal service on June 5 after four days of reduced hours. The agreement includes $700 in fuel support for transport operators over six months, pending a June 8 council session.
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.
Loja's city council archived a proposal to raise the urban bus fare from 30 to 36 cents, but the transport consortium says the suspension of service remains indefinite. Expreso reports students, workers and merchants are being hit hardest while legal action seeks to restore service.
Primicias reports that Quito canceled the public-private partnership initiative for Ruta Viva and will keep the airport corridor under municipal administration. The road connects Quito with Mariscal Sucre airport and the eastern valleys, including Cumbayá and Tumbaco.
Decreto Ejecutivo 378 extends national transport compensation through June 15, delaying a politically painful fare increase. Loja has already raised fares to $0.36; Cuenca, Quito, Guayaquil and Ambato all see different responses.
Prosecutors are expanding the high-profile 'Goleada' money laundering case against Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Álvarez to include his wife, mother, and two brothers — bringing the total number of defendants to 17.
Banco Pichincha went from $42M to $88M in profits. Banco del Pacífico: $46M to $84M. The president posted the numbers on X and questioned who benefits from the crisis narrative.
Ecuador's health regulator found Listeria monocytogenes in a batch of La Artesanal chocolate ice cream made by Helados Novísimo. The lot has been pulled from shelves and the factory suspended. Here's the lot number and what to do.
Mayor Pabel Muñoz says Quito has completed 1,900 projects worth $2 billion since taking office. The Metro extension to La Ofelia is moving forward with an $80M study contract, and another $700 million in works is planned for 2026.
Metro de Quito users are reporting waits up to 20 minutes in April 2026 — double the normal 5-6 minutes. The cause: wheel-resurfacing maintenance that's pulled units offline. Full wheel replacement isn't due until 2028.
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.
