Mood of Ecuadorians remains grim; Azuay declares ‘red alert’ for El Niño; Ecuador wants to host military intelligence center; Banana exports surge

Ecuadorians say the government’s efforts to reduce crime are not working, a new survey shows. According to the Center for Research and Specialized Studies (CIEES), 2,400 respondents rated crime and insecurity as the country’s number one issue and said they believe the situation is getting worse.

“There is a high level of discomfort among Ecuadorians not only regarding security but also about the state of the economy and institutional corruption,” said CIEES director Tatiana Larrea. “What is especially significant is that the level of discomfort appears to be rising.”

Police at the scene of a multiple murder Sunday in Manta.

Larrea said that most of those interviewed viewed the ongoing states of emergency declared by the government as a failure with some saying they are actually leading to more crime. Less than 20% of respondents believed the new partnership with Colombia and the U.S. will solve the problem.

Of respondents in Guayaquil, 70% listed crime as their top concern, followed by the poor economy and rising cost of living (16%) and government corruption (14%).

In Quito, 53% of respondents said crime was the country’s biggest problem, with 28% claiming it was the economy and 18% citing corruption.

Azuay declares ‘red alert’ for El Niño
The Azuay Province Emergency Operations Committee on Wednesday issued a “red alert” for the impact of the approaching El Niño. “All reports are that this weather system could be the strongest in history and the province must be prepared to respond to multiple emergencies,” the COE said in a statement.

The COE issued 15 operational resolutions to prepare for possible emergencies, focusing on the capabilities of first responders, water conservation and transportation. “Because of the varied geography of the province we must prepare for natural disasters ranging from flooding and landslides at lower elevations and severe drought in the highlands,” COE said.

The committee added that “specific directives” will be given to local governments by the end of September.

Ecuador wants to host military intelligence center
President Daniel Noboa says Ecuador is the ideal location for a regional military intelligence center proposed by the United States. According to General Francis Donovan, head of the U.S. Southern Command, the intelligence center would be a “key element” in fighting drug cartels in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.

The new center would be called the Pacific Group Intelligence Fusion Center, Donovan said.

“Because of our strategic location, Ecuador is ideal to host the intelligence center for Coalition of the Americas Against Cartels and we are making our availability known to the Southern Command,” Noboa said Thursday. “The center would bring multiple benefits to the country in the effort to defeat international drug traffickers.”

Donovan said the intelligence center is a “proposal in the works” at this point. “We have talks scheduled next week with the U.S. War Department and hope to have definitive plans shortly after,” he said.

Banana exports surge as the EU and Russia drive demand
Ecuador exported 247.09 million boxes of bananas between January and July 2026, an 8.32% increase compared to the same period in 2025. According to the Banana Exporters Association, the surge in shipments is fueled by increased demand in the European Union, Russia and China.

Exports to other markets, including the Middle East, the U.S. and the Southern Cone of South America also showed gains over 2025, the association said.