October 2026
16 articles
Vinces Mayor Detained in Anti-Money Laundering Operation
Ecuadorean authorities have arrested Juan Alfonso Montalván Cerezo, mayor of Vinces, during a multi-province operation investigating an alleged money laundering ring.
Ecuador’s 2026 Growth Outlook Depends on Energy and Weather Risks
The Central Bank’s 2.7% growth projection is close to the World Bank’s 2.8% estimate, but analysts say El Niño and power constraints could shape the final quarter. A conditional 2.7% scenario is not a confirmed year-end result.
Exporters Ask Ecuador’s Constitutional Court to Prioritize Three Trade Reviews
Fedexpor asked Ecuador’s Constitutional Court to prioritize pending procedures tied to trade agreements with Canada, the United States and the UAE. The agreements remain in internal processes, so signature and implementation should be tracked separately.
Ecuador's SEPS Flags 134 Unauthorized Financial Entities in Fraud Prevention Push
The Superintendencia de Economía Popular y Solidaria identified 134 entities not authorized to act as financial intermediaries, meaning they cannot legally issue credit or take deposits.
Biess Marks 16 Years with Record Loan Projections and Portfolio Growth
El Banco del Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (Biess) celebrated 16 years of operation on October 18, 2026. Since its inception in 2010, Biess has disbursed approximately $57 billion in various loans. The bank projects its 2026 loan disbursements to reach $5.8 billion, potentially marking its highest annual placement.
El Niño Rains in Ecuador: Three Fatalities and Over 21,500 Affected as Authorities Activate Response Protocols
Ecuador's Secretaría Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos (SNGR) reported three fatalities, 21,522 affected, and 1,645 displaced people due to El Niño-related rains since a red alert was issued on August 29. Infrastructure damage includes 19 destroyed homes and a collapsed bridge, while authorities activate response protocols for ongoing severe weather.
Ecuador Completes Nationwide Electrical Maintenance to Bolster Transmission System and Energy Security
Ecuador's state-owned electricity companies, Celec EP and CNEL EP, successfully completed scheduled maintenance on transmission and distribution substations across 15 provinces. The operations, conducted early on October 17, 2026, aimed to strengthen the National Transmission System and enhance energy security.
Ecuador Resumes Colombian Crude Oil Transport Through National Pipelines, Projecting Annual Revenue of USD 16.8 Million
Petroecuador reported on October 17, 2026, the resumption of Colombian crude oil transport via Ecuadorian pipelines, authorized by the Government of Daniel Noboa. This service for Ecopetrol and Amerisur is projected to generate USD 16.8 million annually for the Ecuadorian State, with an average daily transport of 11,900 barrels.
Ecuador Implements Electrical Maintenance and Consumption Reductions Amid El Niño Preparations
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy announced contingency maintenance for electrical transmission and distribution systems across fifteen provinces on October 17, 2026, from 03:00 to 06:00. This initiative, part of the government's El Niño preparedness, involves 54 operations.
Automundo 2026 Highlights Ecuador's Automotive Industry Growth and Diverse Financing Options in Quito
Automundo 2026, Ecuador's largest new vehicle fair, is underway in Quito, showcasing over 50 brands and 300 models. The event underscores the automotive industry's historical sales volume of 123,927 vehicles through September, supported by various financing options.
El Niño Poses Risk to 161,357 Hectares of Guayas Crops, Agricultural Insurance Uptake Remains Low
The El Niño phenomenon places 161,357 hectares of transient crops in Guayas province at risk, with rice accounting for 129,449 hectares. Despite this, agricultural insurance premiums issued decreased significantly from 2025 to 2026, and less than 1% of Ecuadorian agricultural production is insured.
Ecuador's Sales Exceed $11.5 Billion in Early October 2026, Marking 18.4% Growth Year-Over-Year
Ecuador recorded $11,528.9 million in sales between October 1 and October 14, 2026, an 18.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Commerce led economic activities, while construction saw a 51% rise. Pichincha and Guayas provinces accounted for 71.6% of the national total.
Ecuador's AIL EP Receives USD 17 Million Budget for Initial Medicine and Medical Device Purchases
Five months after its creation, Ecuador's Empresa Pública de Abastecimiento, Infraestructura y Logística en Salud (AIL EP) has received a USD 17 million budget allocation from the Ministry of Health. This funding is designated for the first phase of acquiring medicines and medical devices for public hospitals.
Ecuador Revises Power Disconnection Order for Businesses Amid Energy Concerns
Ecuador's government has revised a mandatory seven-day power disconnection order for medium and high-consumption companies, initially issued due to unfavorable hydrological conditions. High-voltage clients can resume normal consumption, while medium-voltage companies face a three-day disconnection.
Ecuador Implements New Curfew in Five Coastal Provinces from November 1-10
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa announced a new curfew for five coastal provinces, effective November 1-10. This measure, confirmed by Interior Minister John Reimberg, includes Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, El Oro, and Esmeraldas, and will coincide with national holidays.
Daniel Salcedo and Ronald Herrera to be Extradited to United States on October 29
Ecuador's Minister of the Interior, John Reimberg, announced on October 14 that Daniel Salcedo Bonilla and Ronald Herrera Ramírez will be extradited to the United States on October 29. Both individuals face charges including conspiracy to import narcotics and firearms offenses before the Southern District Court of New York.