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Ecuador's April 12 fuel adjustment raised Extra and Ecopaís gasoline by 4.6%, diesel by 4.7%, and Súper by 26% — from $3.62 to $4.57 per gallon. Transport associations are planning a march in Quito and warning that costs will be passed through to importers, exporters, and ultimately consumers. Here's the breakdown.
The April 12 fuel price hike is already flowing through to family budgets on the coast. One south Guayaquil family reports their nephew's round-trip school transport jumped from $50 to $60 per month. The coastal school year just started — and the cost structure changed with it.
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.
Gunmen opened fire at a sports complex on Avenida 25 de Julio in southern Guayaquil, killing multiple people and wounding several others, including minors. The attack bears the hallmarks of gang violence and underscores why southern Guayaquil remains Ecuador's most dangerous urban zone.
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.
Ecuador's National Assembly passed a new mining and energy law 77-70 on February 26, replacing environmental licenses with simplified authorizations and allowing rock extraction in the Galapagos Islands. CONAIE and environmental groups are protesting the changes as a rollback of decades of conservation policy.
Barcelona SC opens its Copa Libertadores Group D campaign against Brazilian side Cruzeiro at the Estadio Monumental on Tuesday. BSC enters on a high after a 2-0 win over Liga de Quito, while Cruzeiro is struggling. The match carries significant economic implications for Guayaquil.
Ecuador's monthly fuel price adjustment takes effect April 12, raising prices on low-octane gasoline (Extra and Ecopais) and diesel. Super gasoline stays the same. The change pushes up transport costs and adds inflationary pressure to groceries and services.
President Noboa signed a decree suspending work on April 30, creating a 4-day weekend alongside May 1 (Labor Day). Banks, government offices, and many businesses will close April 30 through May 3. Expect heavy domestic travel, booked hotels, and coastal congestion.
Ecuador's Ministry of Health confirmed the country's first imported case of Mpox Clade Ib on April 2 -- the more contagious variant that has driven outbreaks in Central Africa. The case was identified through genomic sequencing by INSPI. Health authorities activated a national alert but stressed there is no need for alarm.
Friday April 3 is a mandatory national holiday in Ecuador. Banks are closed through Sunday, government offices shut down, but supermarkets and pharmacies stay open. President Noboa's VAT reduction to 8% on tourism services kicks in for the long weekend.
The Banco Central del Ecuador confirmed that GDP grew 3.7% in 2025, pulling the country out of the 2% contraction it suffered in 2024. Growth was driven by exports (+6.4%), investment (+5.6%), and household consumption (+2.7%). The 2026 forecast is a more modest 1.8%.
