Security Alert: 60-Day State of Exception

Message for U.S. Citizens
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador
October 22, 2021

Date: October 21, 2021

Location: Nationwide

Event: Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso ordered a 60-day State of Exception beginning on October 18 in response to increasing criminal activity in parts of the country.  The decree gives Ecuadorian officials the authority to mobilize the armed forces in support of the Ecuadorian National Police for 60 days in nine of Ecuador’s 24 provinces (El Oro, Guayas, Santa Elena, Manabí, Los Ríos, Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Pichincha and Sucumbíos).

Please take the following actions:

  • Cooperate with inspections by armed forces and Ecuadorian National Police.
  • U.S. citizens should continue to comply with all local movement restrictions.
  • Follow Embassy alerts and messages.
  • Monitor local media for updates.

Assistance