Ecuador has experienced a surge in gang-related violence since late 2020. Guayas, Manabí and Esmeraldas have been the most affected provinces. In 2023, 7,592 homicides were recorded, a 71% increase from 2022, mostly in the Guayaquil metro area. Authorities have repeatedly declared States of Exception (SoE) and deployed military and police forces nationwide, including after the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023. In January 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” to combat organised crime. A new SoE was declared on 5 November 2024, covering several provinces and cantons until 3 January 2026. This includes El Oro, Guayas, Los Ríos, Santa Elena, Manabí, La Maná (Cotopaxi) and Echeandía and Las Naves (Bolívar).

What to Expect:

Travellers should anticipate a strong military presence nationwide, especially in previously affected provinces: Metropolitan District of Quito, Bolívar, Cotopaxi, Guayas, Manabí, El Oro, Los Ríos, Santa Elena, Orellana, Sucumbíos, Azuay (Camilo Ponce Enríquez canton) and Cañar (La Troncal canton). Security operations may include monitoring personal communications, entering homes, and restricting movement and assembly. Operations are concentrated in high-risk neighbourhoods, including in Quito, but the impact may extend to other urban and rural areas.