Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
Ecuador says its plan to buy medicines from India is now in Arcsa homologation, with a roadmap defined with India’s government. The plan matters for expats because medicine access, pharmacy prices, and public-health procurement all show up in everyday life.
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.
Electronic payments are becoming more common in Ecuador, while cash withdrawals from savings accounts fell 22% in 2025. For expats, the shift matters at pharmacies, restaurants, markets, banks, and small shops.
Ecuador expects to import electricity from Colombia during the dry season, but Colombia is warning about its own demand growth, delayed projects, and lower reservoir water. The issue matters because Ecuador could face a severe-drought deficit of 1,300 MW.
Quito says its free public bike system will begin operating between July 28 and July 30. The new QuitoBici network includes 250 bicycles, 25 stations, GPS tracking, and links to Metro, Trole, and Ecovia routes.
Cacao, coffee, bananas, and rice are all under market pressure as El Nino risk rises. The immediate story is export pricing, but the longer-term watch point is food-cost pass-through over the next 12 to 20 months.
Colombia has begun issuing rice import permits after nearly five months of suspended land trade. Ecuador’s rice sector expects a gradual restart, with private projections above 50,000 tons for the rest of the year.
Work begins July 27 on Avenida 12 de Octubre between Cristobal Colon and Tarqui. The 70-day project affects the center-north of Quito, with alternate routes planned for private vehicles and public transport.
Repaving work starts July 24 and runs through August 25, affecting a major northern Quito access corridor in two phases.
Ecuador and Canada signed their trade agreement in Ottawa on July 24, bringing a 26-chapter framework covering goods, investment, customs, and digital commerce.
Oil-export income reached USD 1.561 billion by July 23, nearly matching the USD 1.585 billion recorded in all of 2025.
Quito is debating a transit ordinance that would set an urban bus fare of USD 0.40 from January 1, 2027, subject to council approval. The proposal also outlines rural variable fares and a USD 0.45 electric-bus fare.
