Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
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.
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.
Ecuador’s police say violent deaths have fallen 11 percent so far in 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, with the reported homicide rate moving from 25.5 to 22.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Seismic specialists are warning that Guayaquil’s soft soils, older structures and informal construction could make parts of the city especially vulnerable in a major earthquake.
Quito reactivated pico y placa on June 29 for cars and motorcycles inside the city’s urban restriction area. Drivers should check the last digit of their plate before heading into the capital.
Ecuador’s Fiscalía issued an Alerta Emilia for three minors last seen in Conocoto on June 27. The case is a reminder to use official channels when sharing missing-person alerts.
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.
INAMHI’s June 28 forecast calls for variable rain, especially in the Amazon, with scattered afternoon and nighttime rain expected in Cuenca. The Coast should be mostly clear, except possible drizzle in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and Esmeraldas.
