Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
The two-week nightly curfew across four coastal provinces ends March 30, concluding the largest single anti-narcotics mobilization in South American history. 75,000 soldiers and police were deployed with U.S. Reaper drone support and FBI intelligence.
The FBI opened a permanent office at the U.S. Embassy in Quito on March 12, assigning a full-time agent to coordinate joint investigations targeting drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and money laundering. Ecuador simultaneously created a new National Police unit to work alongside the bureau.
Jose Vinces, 44, founder of Vinces TV, was shot 10 times by two gunmen on a motorcycle after being lured to a cemetery by a fabricated tip about human remains. His microphone helped stop a bullet. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack and called for investigation.
Jose Vinces, founder of Vinces TV in El Oro province, was shot by two gunmen at a cemetery after being lured by a fabricated tip. The Committee to Protect Journalists has demanded a full investigation. Ecuador saw 168 attacks on journalists in 2025.
The United States has deployed approximately 75,000 military personnel to Ecuador in a historic first, marking the largest U.S. military operation in South America in decades. The deployment aims to combat narcotrafficking networks operating along Ecuador's coast and border regions.
Ecuador has imposed an 11pm-to-5am curfew in four coastal provinces — Guayas, Los Rios, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, and El Oro — as part of the ongoing state of emergency. The restriction runs through at least March 30, 2026.
Ecuador's security situation varies dramatically by region. The highlands — including Quito, Cuenca, and Loja — remain relatively stable, while coastal provinces face serious security challenges. Here is a province-by-province overview for expats.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has established its first permanent office in Ecuador, operating out of the U.S. Embassy in Quito. The office will focus on counter-narcotics intelligence, transnational crime, and cybercrime affecting both nations.
Ecuadorian journalist Jose Vinces was lured to a location under the pretense of investigating a tip and shot by unidentified assailants. The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned the attack as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against press in Ecuador.
Ecuadorian journalist Jose Vinces was shot in the stomach by two gunmen while investigating a tip about human remains in Huaquillas, a border town frequently used by expats for visa runs to Peru. The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned the attack.
Ecuador declared a 60-day national emergency on March 12 after relentless rains caused flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across the country. At least 11 people have died, 22 rivers have overflowed, and 19 bridges have collapsed since January.
A nightly curfew from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM remains in effect in Guayas, Los Ríos, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and El Oro through at least March 31. Around 75,000 soldiers and police are deployed. Cuenca and Azuay are not affected.