Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
Inamhi forecast isolated rain in all four Ecuadorian regions on August 17, with the strongest Sierra rain expected in the afternoon and evening in Tulcán, Ibarra, Quito, and Latacunga. UV levels range from moderate to very high nationwide.
Ecuador’s risk-management authorities reported cracks and falling masonry in six homes after the magnitude 7.4 Colombia earthquake was felt across several Ecuadorian provinces. A building in central Guayaquil also shed masonry onto a sidewalk.
The Education Ministry says 264 institutions are prioritized for preventive work and that 17 of Ecuador's 24 provinces moved from yellow to orange alert.
Police found cocaine hidden in 1,080 contaminated banana boxes at the Port of Guayaquil. No suspect was detained in the operation, according to the report.
The SPPAT says it protects Ecuadorian and foreign victims of road crashes, including people in vehicles that were not current on registration. It also warns families not to pay intermediaries for a service the state provides free.
La Hora reports that fraudulent ANT messages are still using real personal details, including a fake traffic fine claiming a 30% increase and a USD 47 payment. Foreign residents should verify traffic notices through official channels.
Quito’s municipality and 15 higher-education institutions agreed to a 10-part security plan covering command posts, public-space controls, alcohol sales, licensing, and prevention programs.
A civil-society observatory reports that 2,143 children and adolescents were reported missing in Ecuador in the first half of 2026, with 273 still not found and unresolved cases up 137% from the same period in 2025.
A 2026 IAEN study puts Ecuador's annual violence cost above USD 12.2 billion, or USD 1,127 per person. The burden shows up in households, companies, tourism, exports, and public budgets.
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded in Guayas late Sunday night, with the epicenter confirmed in Duran. Authorities reported no injuries or infrastructure damage, but the tremor was felt in 17 cantons across Guayas, Bolivar, and Los Rios.
Ecuador moved from yellow to orange alert for El Niño conditions after national emergency officials reviewed current meteorological conditions. The measure covers 17 provinces, 143 cantons and 491 parishes.
Ecuador’s Prosecutor’s Office says internet-scam victims should gather payment receipts, screenshots, bank-account details and related transaction information before filing a complaint. The agency says a cédula is the only required document and the process is free.
