Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
Extra, Ecopaís and diesel are expected to drop by about five cents per gallon from Sunday, July 12. The change follows Decreto Ejecutivo 444 and applies inside Ecuador’s fuel-price band system.
President Daniel Noboa appointed Juan Carlos Aveiga Parra as Minister of Public Health on July 10, replacing Jaime Bernabé. The change comes as medicine shortages remain one of the public health system’s major unresolved issues.
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.
Ecuador’s Judiciary Council approved rules for a new National Court judge contest, with a call expected in August and at least 34 magistrates expected by February 2027.
Beef without bone is one of the food items Ecuadorian households spend the most on, and sector figures point to a smaller cattle herd and supply pressure behind higher prices.
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’s Assembly unanimously approved a new extradition law on July 7, replacing the 2000 framework and setting updated procedures after the 2024 constitutional consultation.
Ecuador recorded 3,485 violent deaths from January through May 2026, while Quito’s recent alerts have centered more on explosives, intimidation, and microtrafficking.
Private health insurance continues to grow in Ecuador, with more than 1.7 million people covered and health insurance premiums reaching USD 180.5 million in 2025.
A new look at Ecuador’s transmission system shows 12 of 45 power transformers operating beyond their designed life, with several strategic substations lacking a reserve transformer.
Ecuador’s e-commerce market exceeded USD 7 billion in 2025 as faster delivery, payment options, and marketplace logistics turned online buying into a permanent habit.
Ecuador’s social security system had 3.6 million active affiliates as of May 2026, up more than 102,000 from a year earlier. The useful part for expats is understanding the difference between dependent, independent, voluntary, domestic-work, and youth affiliation.
