Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
An international arbitral tribunal adjusted Ecuador's compensation obligation to Chevron downward by $5.7 million, landing at $215 million. The decades-old Amazon environmental dispute continues to drain government coffers in a tight fiscal year.
During President Noboa's visit to the UAE, Petroecuador and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company signed a memorandum of understanding for direct crude oil trade and refined product imports — cutting out intermediary traders.
The U.S. dollar has lost ground against major currencies, creating a mixed bag for Ecuador's dollarized economy: exports become more competitive and tourism gets a boost, but import costs rise — and you'll feel it at the supermarket.
Overnight storms collapsed a hillside in Quito's La Bota neighborhood, damaged multiple homes, and interrupted water service. No fatalities were reported, but the incident underscores rainy-season risks in the capital's hillside neighborhoods.
A man was shot dead by hitmen Friday morning in Manta's Ceibo Renacer sector, bringing the body count to 66 in 44 days. A separate massacre in Santa Ana marked the third mass-killing event in Manabí province this year.
Rural roads around Vilcabamba are choked with mud, drainage systems are blocked, and students in Chaguarpamba can't get to school. But there's a silver lining: the government just announced $48 million for Loja road rehabilitation, including the critical Loja-Malacatos-Vilcabamba corridor.
Quito has approved a new urban development plan for La Mariscal — the city's historic expat and tourist district. The centerpiece: Avenida Amazonas will revert to two-way traffic as part of an economic revitalization strategy.
Ecuador's coast just got a significant internet upgrade. Seven 5G radio base stations are now operational in Manta, making it one of the first mid-sized cities outside Quito and Guayaquil to join the national 5G rollout.
What started as a tariff dispute has spiraled into a full trade war between neighbors. Ecuador slapped 30% duties on Colombian imports; Colombia responded by suspending electricity sales and threatening counter-tariffs on 23 Ecuadorian products. The pipeline tariff jumped from $3 to $30 per barrel.
Ecuador’s risk management agency raised alert levels nationwide as the rainy season intensifies. Pichincha (home to Quito), Esmeraldas, and Los Ríos are at the highest level. Sixteen more provinces — including Azuay, Guayas, and Loja — sit at orange alert heading into Carnival weekend.
Fedexpor reports Ecuador’s non-petroleum, non-mining exports grew 16% to $25.2 billion in 2025. Shrimp led at $8.4 billion (+20%), cocoa surged 29% to $4.7 billion, and U.S.-bound exports jumped 30%. It’s the strongest diversification signal yet for the dollarized economy.
Ecuador’s monthly fuel price band adjusted at midnight. Extra and Ecopaís gasoline rose to $2.76/gallon, Súper Premium dropped to $3.19, and diesel barely moved at $2.70. The new prices hold through March 11.
