Ecuador

Ecuador: Kidnapping Threat, Blackouts, Crime in Quito

Date: November 25th, 2009 |

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 |

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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]

Ecuador: Beware Yellow Taxis in Urdesa Neighborhood of Guayaquil

Date: November 6th, 2008 |

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Several U.S. citizens have been robbed recently in express kidnappings in the Urdesa neighborhood of Guayaquil. Victims have hailed yellow taxis outside popular restaurants and been threatened with guns by drivers and their accomplices, then driven from ATM to ATM to withdraw money. In all incidents the victims have been in groups of three or [read more]

Ecuador: Quito’s Old City Now a Haven for Tourists

Date: September 25th, 2008 |

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A decade ago, Quito’s old city was a dilapidated den of thieves where tourists wandered at their peril as the UNESCO World Heritage Site fell deeper into decay. But now all that has changed. Since the government launched a plan in 2000 to restore the Centro Historico, some 200 buildings have been rehabilitated including the [read more]

Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano Showing Seismic Activity

Date: October 25th, 2007 |

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Tungurahua Volcano, about 85 miles south of Quito near Banos, has been showing increased seismic activity and limited emissions of gas and ash. Geologists are closely monitoring the volcano and the U.S. Embassy in Quito encourages visitors to verify that roads and tourist facilities are open before traveling to the area. Geologists do not consider [read more]

Ecuador: Beware Counterfeit U.S. Currency

Date: August 6th, 2009 |

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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: Pirates Prowl Waters off Ecuador’s Coast

Date: November 26th, 2008 |

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The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil warned travelers of a recent armed robbery at sea and urged citizens sailing off Ecuador’s coast to travel in convoys, sail out of view of land and always maintain good communications. The incident occurred off the coast of Ensenada de Pedernales, Manabi and emphasized the risks of maritime travel [read more]

Ecuador: National Police Increase Presence to Combat Crime across the Country

Date: October 29th, 2008 |

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Violent crime has increased throughout the country, and in response to it and citizen protests demanding action, the national police recently launched an emergency operations plan to combat crime by increasing the federal police presence in each of the country’s 24 provinces. Travelers can expect more police checkpoints throughout the country and should always carry [read more]

Ecuador: Armed Robberies on Pichincha Volcano Hiking Trails Outside Quito

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported that violent crime on Pichincha volcano on the outskirts of Quito has been increasing and recommends that visitors do not hike to the summit even if in groups or beginning at the top of the Teleferico cable car. Several armed assaults have occurred in recent months with groups as [read more]

Ecuador: Guayaquil Airport to Close for Repairs

Date: October 18th, 2007 |

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Maintenance work on the runway at Guayaquil’s Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport will force the airport to close on four weekends in November and December. Closures will run from 1 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday on the following dates: Nov. 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, and Dec. 1-3. Most international flights at those times will be [read more]