Despite scanning equipment, most cargo containers leave Ecuador unchecked; Noboa slides in opinion polls; Ecuador stuns Australia in Davis Cup play

Although Ecuador scans 100% of exportable cargo in its ports, the government admits it does not have the time or personnel to review most of the images. According to port administrators at Guayaquil’s three ports, the “vast majority” of shipping containers leave the country unchecked.

“There is simply too much cargo that goes out for close examination. It is humanly impossible to review all the images of the scanners,” says Milton Parra, Anti-Narcotics officer of the National Police. “More than 300 containers leave the ports every hour and we are only able to conduct random reviews of images as a result of the volume.”

According to the United Nations drug office, 60% to 70% of cocaine deliveries to Europe come from Ecuadorian ports, more than half of it in banana containers.

He added that human error and corruption are also problems in lax port security.

Port security became a point of contention in the tariff war between Ecuador and Colombia when Colombian President Gustavo Petro referred to Ecuador’s ports “sieve-like” and “the wild frontier.” Petro’s comments came in reaction to President Daniel Noboa’s claim that Colombia does not do enough to stop the flow of cocaine into Ecuador.

According to the United Nations drug office, 60% to 70% of cocaine deliveries to Europe come from Ecuadorian ports, more than half of it in banana containers.

Scanning equipment was installed in all Ecuadorian ports in 2022 but, according to Parra, most drug seizures are the result of tips received by police. In 2025, National Police seized 96.7 tons of drugs, almost all of it cocaine.

Noboa slides in opinion polls
Three recent polls show President Daniel Noboa’s popularity continuing to decline following his decisive defeat in the November referendum. Polling group Imasen showed support for Noboa at 44.2% in the last week of December, down from 52.7% in June.

In a poll conducted by Click Research in early January, Noboa had an approval rating of 46.9%, a 10% decline from its September poll. In a third poll taken by the Center for Research and Specialized Studies the last week of January, 41.5% of respondents approved on the president’s leadership while almost 60% rated it “bad” or “very bad.”

In poll comments, Imasen researcher Hans Olsson said the November referendum may be the most accurate indicator of the Noboa’s popularity. “In Ecuador, no matter what questions are presented, the referendum is really a gauge of presidential popularity.” Olsson said. “In that poll, Noboa had the support of 41% of voters.”

Ecuador stuns Australia in Davis Cup play
Ecuador shocked highly favored Australia in Davis Cup competition Sunday in Quito, eliminating the 28-time champions 3-1. In the decisive doubles match, Ecuadorians Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo defeated Jordan Thompson and Rinky Hijikata.

In Saturday’s singles play, Alvaro Guillen Meza downed Australian Hijikata in three sets before 257th-ranked Andres Andrade shocked world number 86 James Duckworth, also in three.

Australia is the world’s No.4 ranked tennis nation while Ecuador ranks 37th and does not have a singles player ranked in the world’s top 200. Australia, in contrast, has 13 players ranked higher than the leading Ecuadorian, world No.201 Meza.