Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
Starting September 15, 2026, Ecuadorian citizens will be required to obtain a visa to travel to Thailand. This change reverses a previous exemption implemented in July 2024, which aimed to boost tourism.
Ecuador's government has announced a temporary curfew for Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and El Oro provinces, effective from September 17 to September 30, 2026. The measure restricts circulation between 00:00 and 05:00, with a critical detail: no safe-conducts of any type will be issued during this period.
President Daniel Noboa recently highlighted significant progress in nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking, criminal gangs, and illegal mining, with over 8 tons of drugs seized and more than 1,100 illegal mining camps destroyed as of September 2026.
Ecuador's Public Security Council convened to bolster national security actions, coinciding with the capture of a key 'Los Tiguerones' leader in Colombia and the US designation of the gang as a foreign terrorist organization. These developments signal a concerted effort to combat organized crime.
Commercial self-generation is being coordinated with distributors. The report does not establish a household blackout schedule.
New reporting identifies incomplete disclosures among registered companies. Buyers should distinguish the sales agreement from the credit record.
Fresh reports describe different local preparedness tasks. Neither establishes a prediction for an individual home.
Ecuador’s Police reported four tons of drugs, 16 rifles, 6,000 rounds of ammunition, GPS buoys, five boats, and four arrests in Operation Manglar in Posorja. Authorities say the investigation is still developing.
Ecuavisa reports that 48 Ecuadorians detained in the United States were transferred to migration centers in Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Congo, and the Central African Republic while their asylum or refuge requests are resolved. Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry says 36 have returned.
A Red de Instituciones Financieras de Desarrollo study based on 4,622 Ecuador surveys says 22% of respondents have a weak financial profile. It identifies women, people aged 18 to 25, and rural residents as the groups with the largest reported difficulties.
Quito’s September 8 Pico y placa restriction applies to cars and motorcycles with plates ending in 3 or 4. The restricted windows are 6:00–9:30 a.m. and 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Ecuador’s tax authority will offer 12 properties and nine vehicles during September 2026 remate and subasta processes. Buyers must understand the qualification, deposit, payment, and title-transfer rules before participating.
