The following articles are marked as unlocked and do not require an active membership.
To gain access to all weekly reports on Ecuador’s economics, politics, crime and more, consider becoming a member. Click here for more information.
The reactivated route, an engineering marvel of the Andes, promises to revitalize tourism in the region and offer a unique adventure for travelers and residents. The unmistakable sound of a train whistle is once again echoing through the dramatic canyons of the Ecuadorian Andes. After a five-year hiatus that left a noticeable void in...
Government and local leaders reached a truce to reopen roads and begin talks, but national leaders and some communities reject the accord Talks in Otavalo bring temporary calm After 24 days of road closures and violent clashes, the government of Ecuador and local indigenous leaders in Imbabura reached an agreement on October 15th to...
Household consumption, rising exports, and higher investment push GDP up 4.3% in the second quarter Growth led by consumption and exports Ecuador’s economy expanded by 4.3% in the second quarter of 2025, signaling a stronger-than-expected recovery fueled by household consumption, non-oil exports, and renewed investment, according to new data from the Central Bank of...
Strong international demand and new markets drive 2025 growth in non-traditional produce exports. Ecuador’s fruit exports take off Ecuador’s non-traditional tropical fruit exports are enjoying a record year, expanding 38% in value between January and August 2025 compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Central Bank, the surge has...
World leaders condemn violence as Ecuador reels from strike-related unrest and rising tensions ahead of holiday.
New lifestyle centers reflect changing consumer habits, real estate growth, and the push for 15-minute living.
Unseasonable downpours refill the Mazar reservoir and restore confidence in the country’s energy stability.
Doctors warn of a global outbreak while official statistics capture only a fraction of total cases. Rising infections and global origins Respiratory infections have been increasing across Ecuador in recent weeks, fueled by the recirculation of a Covid-19 variant and a spike in flu-like illnesses. Doctors in both the public and private sector say...
Ecuadorians will vote on a Constituent Assembly, military bases, party financing, and creation of Borbón canton. Referendum and consultation confirmed for November The National Electoral Council (CNE) formally launched the electoral process on Thursday, September 25th, setting November 16, 2025, as the date for a nationwide referendum and multiple popular consultations. The decision follows...
Producers and exporters differ on preparedness as El Oro farm remains under quarantine awaiting lab results. Quarantine sparks fears in El Oro The Ecuadorian banana sector, the backbone of the country’s agricultural exports, is facing renewed anxiety after a plantation in Santa Rosa, El Oro, was quarantined on suspicion of being infected with the...
Thousands of citizens march despite state of emergency to demand end of Loma Larga project. A fifth river flows through Cuenca In the city known for its four rivers, Cuenca’s residents created what they called a “fifth river” on September 16th, when nearly 100,000 people filled the streets to march against the Loma Larga...
Financial impact of subsidy removal partially offset by temporary bonuses, loans, and social support measures. Projected savings in 2025 and 2026 The government’s decision to eliminate the diesel subsidy is expected to bring Ecuador significant fiscal relief, though at the cost of temporary compensation programs that will partially offset the savings. According to the...
The Colombian president’s announcement deepens diplomatic tensions as Quito maintains Jorge Glas is still Ecuadorian and must serve his sentences. Petro’s announcement and Ecuador’s response Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced this week that his government has granted Colombian citizenship to former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, a political ally of Rafael Correa who is...
Government pledges aggressive actions in nine provinces, but analysts warn of limited resources and political rhetoric. Military strategy enters new stage Ecuador’s Armed Forces have outlined a new strategy that places the elimination of organized crime leaders at the top of their priorities. The shift, announced on September 10th by the Ministry of Defense,...
Legislators seek to reclassify violations in the COIP after record numbers of injuries and deaths linked to phones. Debate revives stalled reforms After three years of delays, Ecuador’s National Assembly has reopened debate on long-awaited reforms to the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP) that address traffic violations. The renewed push comes amid mounting concern...
One year after historic outages, Noboa’s administration says electricity supply is secure and stable. One year after the crisis September marks a year since Ecuador faced some of the worst power blackouts in decades, when low reservoir levels and poor planning forced the country into prolonged outages. This year, the government of President Daniel...
Prosecutor links Serrano, Jordán, Aleaga, and Salcedo to planning and financing the murder of the presidential candidate. The indictment begins On Wednesday morning, Judge María Daniela Ayala opened the long-delayed hearing to file charges in the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, the presidential candidate gunned down on August 9, 2023. Prosecutor Ana Hidalgo presented her...
Thousands of members recover funds through Cosede while larger depositors face a longer wait for full repayment. Payouts begin for small savers Since August 29th, depositors of the shuttered CREA Savings and Credit Cooperative have started receiving their money through the Deposit Insurance Corporation (Cosede). The insurance covers members with balances of up to...
Concerns grow over electricity supply as dry season approaches, leaving Ecuador reliant on imports and rented barges. Reservoirs near capacity but flows already falling Ecuador’s main hydroelectric reservoirs are nearly full, but experts warn the country is entering a period of vulnerability. By September 1, 2025, the Mazar reservoir—part of the Paute-Molino hydroelectric complex...
Kidnapping rates soar to record highs with Guayaquil at the epicenter of a nationwide security crisis. Daily kidnappings shatter records Guayaquil is experiencing the worst kidnapping crisis in its history, with as many as four cases reported daily in 2025. Figures from the Attorney General’s Office show that the coastal city accounts for 38%...
Ecuador faces rising deficits, falling oil revenues, and urgent demands in health and security as Assembly reviews plan. Budget arrives months into election year President Daniel Noboa formally sent the 2025 General State Budget pro forma to the National Assembly on August 22nd, totaling $40.96 billion. The submission came later than usual because 2025...
Leaders pledge unity on deforestation, organized crime, and indigenous rights as Ecuador prepares to host 2027 summit Bogotá Declaration sets new commitments The presidents and representatives of eight Amazonian countries closed the Fifth Summit of Amazonian Presidents in Bogotá on August 22nd with the adoption of the Bogotá Declaration, a document outlining shared goals...
Cuts, shortages, and broken equipment leave Vicente Corral Moscoso struggling to serve southern Ecuador’s patients. A system under pressure Cuenca’s Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital, the largest public medical facility in southern Ecuador, is collapsing under mounting demand and shrinking resources. Despite treating more patients every year, the hospital’s 2025 budget was cut by 12%...
Ecuador intensifies fight against transnational crime with new decree targeting Venezuela’s Cartel of the Suns. Ecuador takes aim at regional crime networks President Daniel Noboa has formally designated the Venezuelan “Cartel of the Suns” as a terrorist organization, escalating Ecuador’s fight against transnational crime and aligning the country’s stance with that of the United...
Engineers advance with protective works as regressive erosion continues downstream of Ecuador’s largest hydroelectric plant. Dry season offers opportunity for works Ecuador’s Electric Corporation (Celec) has confirmed that the regressive erosion of the Coca River does not currently threaten power generation at the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric facility. The intake that channels water to...
Sales in the electric vehicle sector have surged by 167% in 2025, driven by tax incentives and expanding infrastructure.
New decree establishes tax exemptions for smaller packages, but the 4×4 regime remains unchanged.
President calls for march and referendum, challenging the judiciary’s decisions in a show of strength.
Mayor Zamora and Minister Manzano clash over environmental concerns and mining practices in Azuay’s páramo region
Biometric data sharing aims to combat transnational crime and streamline immigration processes