Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
Enrollment for students entering Ecuador’s public-school system for the first time opens August 12 for the 2026–2027 Sierra–Amazonía school year. The process is free and online, with a first window running through August 17 and a later no-document window on August 18.
Ecuador’s customs service says it collected USD 168.57 million in one week, 7.8% above the previous record and 74% above the average of the last 52 weeks. The Guayaquil Maritime District generated USD 102.83 million and exceeded its weekly projection by more than 50%.
The Ecuadorian Social Security Bank says it has disbursed more than USD 53.69 million through Credicasa to more than 1,030 families. The program advertises a 2.99% preferential rate for eligible affiliates and retirees, with qualifying disbursements potentially taking 30–45 days.
Ecuador’s long-term growth agenda proposes redesigning tax incentives around measurable outcomes such as employment, investment, and production. The proposal is still a framework, not a new benefit businesses can claim today.
Interior Minister John Reimberg says five or six “mirror rooms” were connected to Quito’s municipal cameras. The municipality says the ECU 911 already had access and control of the 632 city cameras, leaving the public with competing accounts of the system’s administration.
Ecuador’s risk-management authorities reported cracks and falling masonry in six homes after the magnitude 7.4 Colombia earthquake was felt across several Ecuadorian provinces. A building in central Guayaquil also shed masonry onto a sidewalk.
Students and faculty at PUCE built SeñaPUCE with deaf students, combining four free digital tools for learning Ecuadorian sign language, practicing mathematics, and recognizing signs with artificial intelligence.
The Education Ministry says 264 institutions are prioritized for preventive work and that 17 of Ecuador's 24 provinces moved from yellow to orange alert.
President Daniel Noboa says the next monthly adjustment will lower diesel and Extra and Ecopais gasoline prices slightly, despite higher international fuel costs.
Police found cocaine hidden in 1,080 contaminated banana boxes at the Port of Guayaquil. No suspect was detained in the operation, according to the report.
A Cedatos study reported that 63.9% of voters remain undecided about mayoral candidates and 69% remain undecided about prefectural candidates ahead of the November 29 vote.
The SPPAT says it protects Ecuadorian and foreign victims of road crashes, including people in vehicles that were not current on registration. It also warns families not to pay intermediaries for a service the state provides free.
