Ecuador

Ecuador: Notorious Volcano Erupting

Date: November 30th, 2011 |

The volcano Tungurahua spewed lava and rock Nov. 29, prompting the government to urge four villages to evacuate. Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute noted increased activity Nov. 27, and authorities inspected and prepared shelters should a mandatory evacuation order be issued. The alert level was raised from yellow to orange, one below the highest level of red, [read more]

Ecuador: Emergency Decree Extended in Quito

Date: October 20th, 2010 |

No Comments

The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported that the Ecuadorian government’s “state of exception” imposed on Sept. 30 following police protests has been extended to 60 days in Quito but lifted throughout the rest of the country. The emergency decree gives the military law enforcement authority in Quito. The Embassy’s announcement noted that Quito is listed [read more]

Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano near Baños Calms Down

Date: June 30th, 2010 |

No Comments

Seismic activity at Tungurahua volcano 80 miles from Quito near Baños has diminished significantly in the past few weeks, prompting Ecuadorian authorities to reduce the warning level from orange to yellow and the U.S. Embassy in Quito to lift its notice to avoid the area around the volcano. Small explosions and emissions continue but without [read more]

Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano near Baños Appears Ready for Major Eruption

Date: June 9th, 2010 |

No Comments

Volcanic activity at Tungurahua volcano near Quito increased, prompting authorities to raise the alert to yellow-orange and the U.S. Embassy in Quito to issue an alert recommending tourists defer travel to Baños and the surrounding area. The volcano threw off large plumes of ash amid heavy explosions and officials consider the situation volatile, with a [read more]

Ecuador: Beware Counterfeit U.S. Currency

Date: August 6th, 2009 |

No Comments

Counterfeit U.S. currency is a growing problem throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Quito advised residents and visitors to inspect their bills carefully when leaving any banking institution or private business, checking for accuracy, wear and tear, or counterfeiting. Do so before leaving a banking window because banks will normally replace the bad bill [read more]

Ecuador: Tainted Liquor Recall

Date: August 31st, 2011 |

No Comments

Sampling locally distilled liquor or wine with new friends can be a pleasant cultural experience, but sometimes care is called for. Officials are trying to buy back half a million bottles of alcohol that have killed 48 people and sickened hundreds more. The outbreak of alcohol poisoning is believed to stem from the tainting of [read more]

Ecuador: Express Kidnappings Increase in Quito

Date: September 29th, 2010 |

No Comments

The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported an increase in express kidnappings in the capital where victims are abducted and forced to empty their bank accounts at ATMs or in local banks. Most such kidnappings have previously occurred in Guayaquil, but they are on the rise in Quito, especially at night in the Mariscal District, a [read more]

Ecuador: Crime Rate High Around Country; Tungurahua Volcano Settles Down

Date: June 16th, 2010 |

No Comments

The U.S. Embassy in Quito issued a notice June 14 to remind travelers that the crime rate in Ecuador is very high and crime is often violent. Such crime is not restricted to Quito or Guayaquil, but also occurs in smaller cities such as Otavalo, Manta, and Cuenca where thieves and small gangs are sometimes [read more]

Ecuador: Kidnapping Threat, Blackouts, Crime in Quito

Date: November 25th, 2009 |

No Comments

The U.S. Embassy in Quito urged Americans visiting or resident in Ecuador to be vigilant about their personal security following the kidnapping for ransom of an American traveling in the northern province of Carchi near the Colombian border. The 24-year-old was abducted in the city of Tulcan Oct. 17 but was rescued 21 days later. [read more]

Ecuador: Express Kidnappings Plague Guayaquil

Date: April 30th, 2009 |

No Comments

Express kidnappings by taxi drivers working with accomplices have become a significant problem in Guayaquil. In such incidents, the victims are threatened, usually with guns, then held captive as the taxi drives them from ATM to ATM to empty their bank accounts. The crimes have occurred in upscale areas such as Urdesa, outside the San [read more]

Travel the World

More WTW

Monthly Archives