National state of emergency in Ecuador

Image of Ecuadorian city Guayaquil lit up at night

A 60-day-long national state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador due to a security crisis and prison riots

President Daniel Noboa has declared a state of emergency across Ecuador in response to an increase in criminal activity and security incidents following a drug lord’s escape from prison.

Timeline of events

  • On 9 January, at least four police officers were kidnapped by armed gangs and explosions were reported in several cities in Ecuador
  • At approximately 2pm local time, the headquarters of a television station in Guayaquil was taken over by attackers, attacks having also been reported at the University of Guayaquil
  • On 10 January, additional security personnel were deployed to Colombia’s border with Ecuador, particularly in Ipiales, Chiles, Mataje, and Carlosama
  • The Chinese Embassy in Quito was temporarily closed until further notice on 10 January
  • On 11 January, the US Embassy in Quito and the Consulate General of the US in Guayaquil were also temporarily closed and suspended until 12 January.

Special measures including a night curfew from 11pm–5am local time were introduced in Ecuador in response to the ongoing security crisis. A state of emergency was also declared on Peru’s northern border with Ecuador.

Travel advice

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the coastal region provinces of:

  • Esmeraldas
  • Manabí
  • Santa Elena
  • Guayas
  • El Oro
  • Los Ríos
  • Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.

This does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province, including onward or return travel to the Galapagos Islands.