Food prices could see ‘catastrophic’ increases due to El Niño; Noboa reduces fuel prices; Habeas corpus denied González; Mayoral candidate gunned down

The price of Ecuador’s “basic family food basket” could increase by at least 30% due to crop damage from El Niño, agricultural experts warn. “We are only at the beginning of one of biggest economic threats Ecuadorian families have faced in decades,” says Marcelo Salame, agricultural supply expert and president of Biosummit 2026. “Prices could rise to catastrophic levels.”

Although El Niño flooding is only in its early stages, prices of rice and sugar have already risen 30% in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, Salame says. “The price increases will quickly spread to other products, including eggs, meat, fish, shrimp, corn and bananas – almost all food supplies will be affected.”

El Niño will drive food prices much higher, experts say.

María del Pilar Cornejo, director of the International Sustainability Center, says Ecuador is not prepared for the food crisis. “The government’s interest is concentrated on flooding emergencies and helping victims — which it should be at this time — but we hear almost nothing of the devastation that is already happening in the agriculture fields,” she says. “The impact on the food supply and costs is receiving very little attention.”

She adds that damage and losses to crops could amount to $3 billion. “Let’s not forget that the 1997 El Niño cost the country 14% in GDP, most of it in agricultural losses.”

Salame agrees. “What I am hearing are plans to address flooding emergencies in November and December and we know from past El Niños that the damage will continue to May, June and July of next year,” he says, adding: “And this is the biggest, most destructive El Niño in history.”

Noboa reduces gasoline and diesel prices
The price of Extra and Ecopaís gasoline and diesel will drop five cents a gallon beginning November 12. President Daniel Noboa announced the reduction Monday, saying the government will subsidize the new price since the international fuel market prices have risen in recent weeks.

Noboa justified the measure as being necessary to “safeguard family economies” in the face of hardships such as El Niño and other financial stresses.

The president’s announcement came a week after the government announced it would “drastically reduce” fuel subsidies in the 2027 budget. In 2026, the subsidies are estimated to amount to $3.3 billion while the 2027 budget proposes $2.6 billion in subsidies.

Habeas corpus denied Luisa González
Luisa González will remain in preventive detention following the denial of her habeas corpus request Monday. Chimborazo Judge Fabian Toscano cited a conflict between constitutional and criminal rules in the appeal filed by Diego Guarderas, González’s attorney.

González and three others were arrested last week on charges of campaign financing violations, including money laundering, from her 2023 presidential campaign as the Citizens’ Revolution candidate.

Guarderas said he plans to file an appeal of the habeas corpus denial while González remains in a Riobamba prison. “We will not let go of the flag and will continue with the fight against the illegality of the arrests,” González said after the court’s decision.

Mayoral candidate killed in El Oro Province
Huaquillas mayoral candidate Ronald Farfán was shot dead along with municipal council candidate Cristhian Rugel Monday. Farfán, Rugel and a friend were gunned down as they walked through a neighborhood talking to residents. The gunmen escaped on foot.

Farfán was a well-known political figure in the canton, serving as mayor from 2014 to 2019. Rugel was seeking reelection to the Huaquillas municipal council.

Huaquillas is located near the Peruvian border in an area that has experienced multiple murders since the beginning of the year. National Police said they are investigating the crime.