Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
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A severe flooding emergency in Zamora Chinchipe left five people dead, trapped residents on roofs and river islets, and disrupted the Loja-Zamora route. Rescue teams reported 38 civilians and 10 firefighters brought to safety.
Guayaquil’s ATM is offering staged discounts for July vehicle technical review appointments tied to plates ending in 6. The discount falls from 20% to 10% as the July 15 cutoff approaches.
Interprovincial buses were operating normally Friday morning after Fenacotip called off its planned July 3 stoppage. Travelers should still watch the fare talks now moving to technical tables with ANT.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of Ecuador’s Chone Killers as a foreign terrorist organization and specially designated global terrorist. Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry thanked the United States for the backing.
Salinas has opened its humpback whale watching season, with accredited boats offering two-hour trips and a reported fare of $21 per passenger.
Families of missing persons say Ecuador needs more operational capacity and personnel for search cases. Official figures cited by Expreso show training and victim-service activations rising, but relatives say the response still falls short.
Ecuador’s customs agency is reminding travelers returning during the World Cup to review the personal-effects rules before flying home. The warning is practical: know what is tax-free before you reach airport controls.
INAMHI expects variable-intensity rain on June 27, especially in the Amazon region. A meteorological alert remains in effect through June 28 for moderate to strong rain in the Amazon and isolated events in the northern Coast.
Ecuador’s National Transit Agency suspended public attention for the June 26 holiday and canceled its June 27 special service day. Licenses expiring between June 26 and June 30 remain valid through August 31, 2026.
Asobanca says Ecuador’s private banks will keep major service channels available during the June 26 national holiday. Branches, digital banking, ATMs and non-bank correspondents are expected to operate.
Teleamazonas reports that diesel reached USD 3.25 per gallon in June 2026 and Extra gasoline reached USD 3.31. Prices continue to adjust monthly under Ecuador’s band system tied to international fuel-market movement.
The tourist yacht Evolution ran aground near Punta Estrada on Santa Cruz Island on June 26. Puerto Ayora’s port captaincy activated response protocols and requested support from nearby vessels while authorities evaluated the situation.
