Ecuador News

Ecuador’s Constitutional Court ruled Friday that the 60-day state of emergency imposed by President Daniel Noboa on January 8 is constitutional. In a statement, the court said the measures adopted during the state of emergency, which include the mobilization of the police and the armed forces, are justified by circumstances. The court also said that...

By Liam Higgins As President Daniel Noboa completed the first 100 days of his presidency last week he enjoys record high levels of public support for militarizing the fight criminal gangs and cartels. Many experts say, however, that he may be ignoring problems underlying the criminality. “As the old saying goes, you can’t argue with...

In a meeting with Wall Street investors on Friday, President Daniel Noboa said Ecuador hopes to secure a $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund in the coming weeks. Following his comments, Ecuador’s country’s risk rating fell to 1,341 points, the lowest in three years. During the meeting, Noboa also detailed the progress his...

The Greenpeace research ship Arctic Sunrise arrived in the Galapagos Islands Thursday to begin a six-week study of Galapagos Marine Reserve ecosystems. The ship docked in Puerto Ayora, the main port on Santa Cruz Island, and will begin its work next week. According to project director Ruth Robles, the Greenpeace mission is aimed at assisting...

By Liam Higgins The countdown is underway for the February 2025 national elections, whether voters are ready for it or not. “We’re all suffering from election whiplash as a result of the cross death disruptions but the next campaign has begun,” says political science professor and newspaper columnist David Chávez. He adds: “And the political...

By Ilaria Grasso Environmentalists and tourism groups have hailed the Ecuadorian government’s decision to double the entry fee to the Galapagos National Park for foreign visitors, with the proceeds going to fund conservation and sustainability projects in the islands. Entry for Ecuadorian residents will increase from $6 to $30. From 1 August 2024, entry prices...

Ecuadorians continue to rank public security as the country’s most important issue, according to new public opinion surveys. Overwhelmingly, they also say that the “internal conflict” with organized criminal gangs is affecting their employment and businesses. A survey by Multitrabajos showed 55% of respondents rated security their number one concern followed by unemployment and underemployment...

Government Minister Mónica Palencia confirmed Wednesday that the armed forces will remain on the streets and in the prisons after the state of emergency ends April 7. “Acts of violence, including murders, have dropped significantly as a result of the military assistance and our intention is to continue this progress,” she said. Last week, President...

With President Daniel Noboa’s referendum election less than two months away, political parties are making their positions known. On the “yes” side are Noboa’s National Democratic Action (ADN), the Social Democrats (PSC), Construye and Creating Opportunities (CREO). Supporting a “no” position are Citizens Revolution and Pachakutik. “We say yes to the extradition of criminals, to...

Prosecutors have formally charged six members of the Los Lobos gang with the August 2023 assassination of Fernando Villavicencio. Villavicencio, who was a candidate for president, was gunned down following a political rally August 9 in Quito. According to prosecutor Ana Hidalgo, Los Lobos leader Carlos Angulo, alias El Invisible, planned and ordered the murder...