Topic

Ecuador internal security

4 eventsActive since 28 Aug 2026Updated 12 Oct 2026Conflict

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conflict12 Oct 2026

Ecuador Police Arrest Los Lobos Suspect in Quevedo

On 11 October, the Ecuadorian National Police arrested a man identified as Eladio A., alias “El Patrón,” in the city of Quevedo for his alleged role in the criminal group Los Lobos. During the raid, officers seized two firearms, three magazines, cartridges, two metal plates, police-issue body armor, a stolen vehicle, and a motorcycle, with authorities alleging the residence served as a planning site for extortion, robberies, and contract killings. Los Lobos, designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US Department of State in September 2025, is accused of threatening officials and controlling drug trafficking routes in collaboration with the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.

conflict11 Oct 2026

Ecuador Army Seizes 54 Guns and 30,700 Rounds in Quito

On 10 October, the Ecuadorian army seized 54 firearms, 770 cartridges, and 30,700 rounds of ammunition during a raid on an unlicensed warehouse in the Monteserrín neighborhood of Quito. One unidentified man, who had been linked to a prior January 2024 seizure of 108 firearms in Cumbayá, was detained at the site. The operation occurred during a 60-day state of exception declared by President Daniel Noboa on 15 September, which permits the deployment of soldiers to combat drug gangs. This event holds significance as Ecuador serves as a strategic partner to the United States in efforts to counter cocaine trafficking operations by groups such as Los Choneros and Los Lobos.

political10 Oct 2026

Ecuador's Expreso Newspaper Ends Print Edition After 53 Years

On October 9, 2026, the Guayaquil-based newspaper Expreso ceased its print operations after 53 years, continuing only in a digital format. Publisher Gráficos Nacionales (Granasa) cited a financial review, though executives and the press-freedom group Fundamedios attributed the closure to a year of state pressure involving tax audits, seven raids by prosecutors, and administrative intervention by the Superintendency of Companies. Granasa reported a 70% loss in advertising revenue during this period, and shareholders were scheduled to meet on October 13 to discuss the potential sale of company assets, including nine properties valued at a base price of $17.35 million.

conflict10 Oct 2026

Expats in Ecuador: Safety, Climate and Services Review 2026

Ecuador experienced its highest number of homicides in recent history, recording at least 8,847 deaths by 19 December 2025, an increase from 7,063 in 2024. The violence remained geographically concentrated, with coastal provinces like Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, and El Oro accounting for 6,808 of the 8,393 deaths documented through November 2025. For American expats, this security environment shifted regional appeal, positioning the highland city of Cuenca as a preferred residence over the Pacific coast. Prospective residents must navigate specific economic requirements, including a foreign pension threshold of US$1,446 per month for 2026.

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