Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
The Ministry of Public Health has invited CNT to provide a national interoperable health platform, with Italian company Dedalus as a subcontractor. The proposed seven-year process would target 1,742 prioritized health establishments, but it has not yet been awarded.
Ecuador recorded USD 18.849 billion in spending from January through August 2026, up 10% from the same period of 2025. Interest payments and transfers to IESS are taking more budget space while public-works spending remains a small share of the total.
Terminal Portuario de Guayaquil plans USD 50 million in 2026 investment, including two USD 22 million Super Post Panamax cranes and cold-chain infrastructure. The terminal handled 736,141 TEUs last year, equal to 24% of the national market according to company-cited shares.
The Paute basin averaged 94.8 cubic meters per second in August, below its historical August average of 136.4. Mazar inflows averaged 56 cubic meters per second against a historical 90, putting the reservoir and dry-season power management back in focus.
Employees earning more than USD 12,208 annually or USD 1,017.33 monthly can update their personal-expense projection through September 30. The update can change monthly income-tax withholding, but projected expenses must later be supported with invoices or sales receipts.
Ecuador's National Electoral Council says citizens can now pay electoral fines online with Visa and Mastercard through its portal. The change arrives ahead of the November 29, 2026 sectional and CPCCS elections, with additional bank and Facilito payment channels still available.
Ecuador's Secretariat for Risk Management says the red alert for El Nino does not mean intense rain is about to begin everywhere. The agency says the alert activates preparedness, COE coordination, action plans, and stronger monitoring.
Petroecuador averaged 365,704 barrels per day in August 2026, below the 370,000-barrel projection made by manager Sebastian Maag. The year-to-date comparison is higher than 2025, but that comparison is distorted by the sharp fall in July 2025.
Ecuador is due for the sixth review under its IMF program in September 2026. If the government has met the targets reviewed through June, the Fund is expected to disburse about $390 million, but that money is not approved yet.
An international review requested by INEC says census imputation reached 4.7% to 5%, representing 759,103 people who were not directly counted, and rose to 10% when incomplete and corrected records are included.
A rain-triggered lahar was recorded at El Reventador on August 30. Authorities said the event was not linked to increased internal volcanic activity and urged people to stay away from river and ravine channels.
Quito’s AMT plans to deploy 586 agents around 166 schools as Sierra-Amazonía classes resume September 1, with controls also planned at 70 strategic points.
