Ecuador

Ecuador: State of Emergency in Four Provinces

Date: March 21st, 2006 |

After nine days of protests the government declared a state of emergency in Canar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi and Imbrabura provinces and the towns of Tabacundo and Cayambe March 21. Indigenous demonstrators mounted roadblocks to protest a proposed free-trade agreement with the U.S., and groups had vowed to march to Quito to try to block the deal. [read more]

Ecuador: Protests in Portoviejo

Date: July 13th, 2005 |

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Large anti-government protests are occurring in Portoviejo, with roadblocks preventing entry and exit into the city. Protesters and police have clashed and government buildings have been damaged. Authorities are concerned that the protests may spread to neighboring cities in Manabi province, including Manta, and that roadblocks will restrict travel throughout the province. The U.S. Consulate [read more]

Ecuador

Date: March 22nd, 2005 |

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The U.S. Embassy reported that it has information suggesting that Americans and other foreigners are targets for kidnapping in the northern areas bordering Colombia. The region is clearly dangerous because the defense ministry recently sent 3,000 additional troops there to bolster the 7,000 already [read more]

Ecuador

Date: February 22nd, 2005 |

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A crowd estimated at 70,000 demonstrated outside the presidential palace in Quito Feb. 16 demanding President Lucio Gutierrez’s resignation following the recent replacement of 27 of 31 supreme court judges. The president�s supporters staged a counter-rally at the same time while 6,000 police officers kept the two groups apart. There were arrests and scattered incidents [read more]

Ecuador

Date: January 7th, 2004 |

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According to the Ecuadorian national police, all levels of crime have increased throughout the country in the last year, with violent crime becoming a part of everyday life. Crimes against U.S. diplomatic personnel or U.S. citizens are reported almost daily, with the most crime occurring in tourist centers and on public transportation. Ecuadorian police have [read more]

Ecuador: Demonstrations Likely the Next Two Weeks

Date: November 21st, 2005 |

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Demonstrations and other protests in Quito and Guayaquil are likely until approximately Dec. 1 because of final negotiations of the Andean Free Trade Agreement and a government request of a U.S. oil company to respond to charges of breaching a contract. Protests could target U.S. symbols or facilities and Americans should steer clear of demonstrations. [read more]

Ecuador

Date: April 19th, 2005 |

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Several days of protests in Quito against President Lucio Gutierrez prompted him to declare a state of emergency that was lifted the next day as a part of a deal with Congress to resolve the crisis. The unrest stems from the sacking of the Supreme Court and packing it with judges supportive of Gutierrez�s policies [read more]

Ecuador and Peru

Date: March 8th, 2005 |

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Doctors in both countries are on strike and routine medical care is hard to obtain except through private clinics. Emergency services are unaffected, but travelers with known medical risks should be sure to carry medical evacuation insurance in the event of an [read more]

Ecuador

Date: June 8th, 2004 |

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Fishermen in the Galapagos Islands demanding reform of catch limits on sea urchins and sea cucumbers blocked two key docks on Espanola Island June 3, preventing 200 tourists on eight boats from landing. Their protest occurred after a two-day sit-in at national park offices where they demanded the lifting of all limits. Further protests are [read more]

Ecuador

Date: November 6th, 2002 |

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Life is returning to normal following the eruption of Reventador volcano 60 miles from Quito Nov. 3. The volcano spewed ash over a wide area, prompting the closure of the international airport and a state of emergency around Quito, but heavy rains Nov. 5 cleared the air and washed away much of the ash. Quito�’s [read more]