Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
Assembly Orders 30-Day Review Of Progen Fund Transfers
The National Assembly unanimously ordered a review into the destination and route of funds transferred by Progen, with a 30-day report deadline. The case adds governance risk around public contracting and power-sector procurement.
UAFE Freezes Progen-Linked Accounts as USD 104M Generator Case Widens
Ecuador’s UAFE has frozen funds in accounts associated with private actors linked to the Progen generator-contract case. The government says investigators are tracing USD 104M paid to Progen, including 89 transactions and a reported USD 15.2M transfer to Astrobryxa.
SuperCías Information-Access Reform Raises Corporate Confidentiality Risk
Ecuador’s Superintendencia de Compañías is working on reforms to the Companies Law that could expand shareholder access to corporate information regardless of ownership percentage. Business lawyers and chambers warn that the measure needs safeguards to protect strategic, contractual, tax, labor and customer data.
Ecuador Security Decree Targets Areas With 2,648 Homicides in Four Months
Ecuador’s new state of exception concentrates military and police intervention in ten provinces and three cantons that registered 2,648 of 2,778 national homicides from January through April. Guayas alone accounted for 1,223 violent deaths, making the decree material for port, logistics, mining and urban operating-risk analysis.
Contraloría Rule Would Allow Classified Audit Files to Be Destroyed After 30 Days
Ecuador’s National Assembly approved a rule allowing the Contraloría to destroy classified state documents within 30 calendar days after audit reports are final and executed. The reform changes the governance and audit-trail environment for classified public-sector information, with civil-society groups asking the Executive to veto the provision.
IVA Refund Dispute Reaches Constitutional Court as SRI Refunds Fall 28.5%
A retirees group has taken IVA refund delays to Ecuador’s Constitutional Court after a rejected protection action in Pichincha. The dispute comes as SRI cash tax refunds reached USD 134.5 million from January to April 2026, down 28.5% from the same period in 2025.
Ecuador Adds 7,364 Hectares of Water-Protection Areas in Loja
Ecuador formalized the Gonzanama and Sanguillin water-protection areas in Calvas, Loja, covering 7,364.35 hectares. The declarations are framed around forest, water-source and wildlife conservation, with direct water-quality relevance for 7,829 residents.
Ecuador Sets 655-Salary License Rule for Sports-Betting Operators
President Daniel Noboa issued a new regulation to Ecuador's sports law with requirements for sports-betting operators. The rules include licenses valid for up to five years and an annual payment equivalent to 655 basic salaries within the first 20 days of each license year.
Ecuador Plans Temporary ICE Cut for Moderate Alcoholic Beverages During World Cup
President Daniel Noboa announced a temporary elimination of ICE on moderate alcoholic beverages, including beer, during the 2026 World Cup period. Noboa said beer prices would fall by more than 20% and that the measure would remain in force until July 19, though implementation details were still pending.
Ecuador Carbon-Market Technical Rule Enters Force
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy has put the ARTTRM technical rule into force, El Universo reports. The framework is designed to support participation in international carbon markets and channel investment into mitigation projects in energy, industry, waste and agriculture.
SRI Makes IVA Declarations Valid Only With Payment Starting June 1
Ecuador's tax authority will require IVA declaration and payment to occur simultaneously from June 1, Primicias reports. Late filing can trigger a 3% penalty on the amount due or 0.1% of gross sales or income when no IVA is determined.
Ecumar EP to Emerge From Flopec-Astinave Fusion Under 180-Day Transition
Ecuador will merge Flopec and Astinave into Ecuador Maritimo Ecumar EP under a 180-day transition, El Universo and Primicias report. The new entity consolidates hydrocarbon transport, port logistics, shipbuilding, cabotage, foreign trade and technology functions inside a single maritime SOE.
