Ecuador News

Although no cases of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant have been found in Ecuador, Health Minister Ximena Garzón, says the country is prepared if it arrives. “We are currently sequencing positive test results that appear suspicious, especially of people who have recently returned from countries where Omicron has been detected.” Unlike countries in Europe and...

President Guillermo Lasso imposed new health restrictions Monday night as a precaution against the new Covid-19 Omicron variant. Omicron was first identified in South Africa two weeks ago but health experts say it has probably been circulating since early October. The new rules take effect Wednesday, December 1. Among measures announced by the president are...

President Guillermo Lasso’s Economic Development Act, which raises taxes on companies and some wage earners, will go into effect without passage by the National Assembly. Due to its classification as “urgent legislation,” the law entered into the Official Registry on Monday after the opposition was unable to muster the 70 votes required to reject it....

Although Ecuador health officials are keeping a close watch on a new Covid-19 variant in South Africa, they say they still expect to reduce pandemic restrictions by the end of December. The national Emergency Operations Committee plans several meetings to evaluate pandemic conditions in the country and will issue its recommendations afterward. Countries of the...

Ecuador has the second lowest level of trust in democracy among 18 Latin American countries. The Chilean social research center, Latinobarómetro, says that Ecuador and other countries showing diminished trust in democracy are in danger of accepting non-elected authoritarian governments. According to the Latinobarómetro survey, support for democratic regimes peaked in 2010 at 63 percent,...

Former President Lenin Moreno said Wednesday that he will not return to Ecuador despite a vote by the National Assembly that he come home immediately. The ex-president said he planned to remain in the U.S. to fulfill his recent appointment as Commissioner for Disability Affairs for the Organization of American States. With 100 of 137...

Minister of Health Ximena Garzón announced Wednesday that all Ecuadorians will be eligible to receive Covid-19 booster shots in January. Currently, only those over 65 and those with chronic illnesses can get them. “We will have sufficient doses for everyone who wants a booster in January,” Garzón said during a virtual press conference. “We will...

President Guillermo Lasso signed orders Tuesday granting the release from prison of those convicted of what he called “minor crimes” and those with terminal and chronic illnesses. It is not clear how many prisoners the orders affects although a government spokesman said it could be “several thousand.” According to human rights organizations, Ecuador’s prison system...

More reports of damage to buildings and roadways in Quito were received Tuesday afternoon and evening following the 11 a.m. 4.6 magnitude earthquake. City officials said most of the damage was minor although several buildings suffered serious structural damage. No injuries were reported. The earthquake that sent tens-of-thousands of workers and residents into the streets...

Ecuador health officials are crediting the high vaccination rate of high-risk population groups with bringing the Covid-19 pandemic under control. “We are intensifying out efforts to reach the unvaccinated but are very pleased with efforts to protect the elderly, the chronically ill and people who interact with the public, like health workers and teachers,” says...