Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
Ecuador’s National Transit Agency says fraudulent emails are using its name, logo and institutional image to claim unpaid fines or vehicle taxes. The agency says official checks for fines, licenses and vehicle procedures should be made through its official portal.
Ecuador has identified 45 cantons considered strategic points for organized-crime routes involving drugs, weapons and illicit money. Twenty-seven are rated high risk, showing that security risk is no longer limited to the largest port cities.
Quito’s municipal control agency closed two establishments in Conocoto after complaints about possible irregularities and improper charges. The warning is practical: use official municipal channels and be careful with anyone promising to “speed up” paperwork.
Ecuador’s July 16 forecast calls for variable skies, isolated rain and elevated temperatures, with radiation levels ranging from high to extremely high. Inamhi’s Alert 51 remains active through Friday, July 17.
President Daniel Noboa issued Decree 448 to make Ecuador’s 2025-2029 National Security Plan mandatory public policy nationwide. The plan names organized crime, narcotrafficking, illegal mining, money laundering, corruption, and cyberattacks among the country’s main risks.
Ecuadorian authorities list several ways to report extortion, including 1800 DELITO, ECU 911, the 131 line, Fiscalía, QR-code reporting, a WhatsApp rewards number, and a Ministry of Interior digital form.
Inamhi’s July 13 forecast calls for isolated rain, high to extremely high UV levels, and Sierra wind gusts in Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and Tungurahua.
Ecuador’s ERFEN committee says El Niño is in its initial development phase, while immediate intense rainfall is not expected and dry-season conditions should continue in the Coast and western and central Sierra.
Inamhi issued Weather Warning No. 50 for moderate to heavy rain from Friday midday through Monday evening. Possible effects include water accumulation, road damage, fog, fallen trees and river overflows.
Inamhi says higher daytime temperatures and wind gusts will continue from July 8 to 11 in parts of the Sierra and the central-southern Coast, with Quito, Guayaquil, and several provinces affected.
Ecuador recorded 3,485 violent deaths from January through May 2026, while Quito’s recent alerts have centered more on explosives, intimidation, and microtrafficking.
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.
