To enhance the operational capacity of the National Police, the National Government, through the Ministry of the Interior, delivered a fleet of 20 buses on January 15, 2024. These vehicles are already registered and ready for operation and will be strategically deployed across the country. The investment totaled USD 3 million.

President Daniel Noboa, during the official handover ceremony at the General Enríquez Gallo Police Academy, stated:

"The fight against terrorism is a daily and relentless task that requires brave men and women committed to restoring peace and security."

The president emphasized the government’s duty to support the National Police in their mission, highlighting the challenges posed by a powerful adversary that gained strength due to past political complicity.

Strengthening Police Operations

Víctor Hugo Zárate, General Commander of the Ecuadorian National Police, stressed the importance of investing in resources and tools for security. He expressed gratitude to the National Government for its tangible commitment to enhancing the efficiency and well-being of the police force.

“This is a concrete step toward security and a testament to the dedication of those who serve our country.”

Deputy Minister of Citizen Security, Lyonel Calderón, reiterated the administration’s prioritization of public safety, describing it as an urgent necessity that requires resources, training, innovation, and the collaboration of all sectors. The new fleet of buses is seen as a key investment in the preventive efforts of the police. These vehicles will provide better coverage in remote areas, facilitate the mobilization of officers during emergencies, and reduce response times.

Credit and debit card cloning has become a growing threat in Ecuador, with criminals refining their tactics to target unsuspecting consumers in commercial establishments. By understanding their methods and adopting preventive measures, you can better protect yourself from fraud.

What Is Card Cloning?

Card cloning involves the illegal copying of information from the magnetic stripe or chip of a credit or debit card to make fraudulent transactions. This crime often happens in stores, using increasingly sophisticated techniques.

Common Methods Used by Criminals

1. Skimmers: Small devices attached to payment terminals or ATMs to capture your card’s data.

2. Hidden Cameras: Tiny cameras positioned to record your PIN while you enter it.

3. Fake Terminals: Look-alike payment devices that are rigged to steal your card information.

4. Digital Attacks: Malware and software designed to intercept payment data during electronic transactions.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Tampered Payment Devices: Check for unusual pieces or modifications on card readers.

• PIN Security: Always shield the keypad when entering your PIN.

• Suspicious Payment Areas: Be cautious if asked to process payments in hidden or insecure areas.

Tips to Protect Yourself

• Monitor Transactions Regularly: Review your bank statements frequently to catch any unauthorized charges.

• Use Secure Cards: Opt for cards with advanced security features like chips or contactless technology.

• Enable Alerts: Set up real-time notifications to detect suspicious activity immediately.

• Keep Your Card in Sight: Never let your card leave your line of sight during a transaction.

• Protect Sensitive Info: Never share your PIN, card number, or CVV—even with someone claiming to be a bank or store employee.

Why Awareness Is Key

Card cloning is a significant threat in the retail world, but staying informed and vigilant can make all the difference. By spotting suspicious behavior, paying attention to payment devices, and embracing security technology, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to this crime.

The best defense against fraud is prevention. Stay aware, stay cautious, and stay protected.

A gang that used scopolamine to rob homes was dismantled after a month-long investigation. They operated in Quito, Guayaquil, Riobamba, and Portoviejo. Their latest robbery in Quito involved leaving a victim unconscious and stealing valuables worth $150,000.

Modus Operandi: Fake Dates and Drugged Drinks

The group, consisting of three members, lured victims through social media. A Venezuelan woman arranged fake dates, met the victims, and convinced them to bring her to their homes.

While inside, she offered a drugged drink containing scopolamine, which disorients and incapacitates the victim. Once the victim was unconscious, she called her accomplice, who waited outside in a car, and together they robbed the home.

Police Capture and Stolen Goods Recovered

The gang’s last robbery saw them stealing luxury watches, gold chains, personal items, and cash. Police, who were already tracking the group, observed the woman leaving a victim’s home with a large suitcase.

She and her accomplice were arrested after withdrawing money at an ATM and returning to an apartment in northern Quito. A raid on the apartment led to the arrest of a 24-year-old man and the seizure of drugs.

A second raid in central Quito captured the 30-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man with prior robbery charges. Part of the stolen items, sent to Guayas for sale, was recovered at the Guayaquil bus terminal.

Victims reportedly took up to 96 hours to recover after being drugged.

Source: Primicias.

Despite a reduction in violent deaths, Ecuador closed 2024 with the second-highest violent death rate in its history.

In 2024, the violent death rate per 100,000 inhabitants decreased by 7.42 deaths compared to 2023. However, the country still saw a murder every 1 hour and 15 minutes, making it the second most violent year on record.

According to official figures from the National Police, there were 6,964 violent deaths in 2024, resulting in a homicide rate of 38.76 per 100,000 inhabitants. This marks a 16% decrease from 2023, which saw 8,237 violent crimes and a homicide rate of 46.18. Despite this reduction, Ecuador remains among the worst in the world in terms of violent deaths, with only six countries surpassing its homicide rate: Jamaica, South Africa, Lesotho, Saint Vincent, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago.

A Momentary Decline in Violence

On January 9, 2025, it will be a year since President Daniel Noboa declared the existence of an internal armed conflict. Following a violent start to 2024, the President authorized the Armed Forces to "declare war" on about twenty criminal organizations, which led to a significant short-term reduction in violence.

In the days after this declaration, violent deaths dropped by 63%, with only 93 murders reported. The trend continued into February, with 384 crimes, marking the most peaceful month since April 2022.

However, this reduction was not sustained. From March 2024 onward, violent deaths began to rise again, though not reaching the levels seen in 2023. In August, there were 617 violent deaths, an increase of 16 compared to the same month in 2023.

The most violent period of 2024 came in December, when 688 murders were recorded, making it the deadliest month of the year. This represented a 79.17% increase compared to February 2024, the month with the lowest number of violent deaths.

Source: Primicias.

The Ecuadorian government has declared a new state of exception lasting 60 days, including measures such as curfews and mobility restrictions. This decree, signed on January 2, 2025, by President Noboa, marks an expansion of the previous state of exception implemented in 2024. For the first time, it includes the province of Sucumbíos at the border with Colombia and the coastal canton of La Troncal in the province of Cañar.

Key Details of the State of Emergency

The state of emergency is outlined in Executive Decree 493. It applies to:

• The provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Orellana, Santa Elena, El Oro, and Sucumbíos.

• The Metropolitan District of Quito (province of Pichincha), and the cantons of La Troncal (province of Cañar) and Camilo Ponce Enríquez (province of Azuay).

The government cites the "prolonged presence of organized armed groups" as the primary reason for this measure.

Restrictions Imposed

1. Suspension of Rights:

   • Inviolability of Domicile: Suspended in the seven provinces, the Metropolitan District of Quito, and the cantons of Camilo Ponce Enríquez and La Troncal.

   • Inviolability of Correspondence: Suspended in the same areas.

2. Curfew:

   • Imposed from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM daily in 22 cantons (details below).

   • The Metropolitan District of Quito is not included in the curfew measures.

3. Deployment of Security Forces:

   • The police and armed forces will mobilize to enforce the measures.

   • The military will continue to oversee the country’s prisons under regulated and temporary supervision.

Unlike previous decrees, the current one does not suspend the right to freedom of assembly, but the military presence will be maintained in critical areas.

Cantons with Curfews

Residents in the following cantons must adhere to the nightly curfew for the next 60 days. Those who fail to comply will face legal consequences:

• Azuay: Camilo Ponce Enríquez

• Cañar: La Troncal

• Guayas: Durán, Balao, and the parish of Tenguel

• Los Ríos: Babahoyo, Buena Fe, Quevedo, Pueblo Viejo, Vinces, Valencia, Ventanas, Mocache, Urdaneta, Baba, Palenque, Quinsaloma, Montalvo

• Orellana: La Joya de los Sachas, Puerto Francisco de Orellana, Loreto

• Sucumbíos: Shushufindi, Lago Agrio

Source: Primicias.

InSight Crime writes that Ecuador is experiencing a sharp rise in massacres. Massacres are incidents where three or more people are killed at the same time and place. These massacres have expanded beyond prisons to civilian areas, fueled by the proliferation of high-powered weapons, judicial impunity, and the fragmentation of criminal gangs.

Key points fromt the article are:

1. Rising Violence

   • Massacres have increased significantly since 2020, with 2024’s numbers approaching 2023 levels.

   • Recent incidents include mass killings in the province of El Oro and the city of  Durán.

2. Contributing Factors

   • Weapons Access: Criminal groups now have greater access to automatic weapons due to lax regulations and illegal trafficking.

   • Impunity: Over 90% of homicides go unsolved, emboldening perpetrators. Judicial corruption further undermines accountability.

   • Gang Fragmentation: Crackdowns by the government on leadership  have splintered gangs, intensifying rivalries and spreading violence across the country.

3. Gold Mining Regions Under Siege

   • Massacres are increasingly reported in mining areas as gangs fight for control of lucrative operations.

   • Regions like the coastal part of the province of Azuay and the province Sucumbíos have seen sharp increases in mass killings in 2024.

4. Massacres as Tools of Control

   • Criminal groups use massacres to enforce territorial dominance and punish civilians who defy their rules.

Note that many massacres have innocent people as victims. Therefore, based on the information provided in this article, we recommend expats and travelers to avoid the provinces of El Oro and Sucumbíos, the town of Ponce Enríquez in the coastal part of the province of Azuay and the city of Durán. When traveling between Cuenca and Guayaquil you will ride on the main road through Durán. It's best to stay on this road and to not enter the industrial or residential areas located along this road.

The Lobos, a major narco-criminal gang in Ecuador, has splintered, and the fallout is raising concerns about a potential spike in violent crime in Quito. Similar divisions within the gang have already caused deadly violence in other regions like Manabí and Azuay. According to Ecuadorian police, three rival leaders are now vying for control of the capital's drug trade, intensifying the risks of violent confrontations.

Who Are the Key Figures?

The Lobos' internal split has given rise to a faction known as the Lobos Invisibles. The group is reportedly led by three individuals with extensive criminal histories:

- Fabricio Colón Pico (*alias* "El Salvaje"): Recently sentenced for threatening the State Attorney General and her young daughter.

- Elvis Conde (*alias* "Maduro"): Convicted of murdering lawyer Harrison Salcedo and implicated in a prison escape in early 2024.

- Danny Córdova (*alias* "Comandante M" or "Fuerte"): Also a key player in the escalating rivalry.

These individuals are fighting for dominance in Quito’s lucrative drug market, where cocaine and marijuana are the most trafficked substances.

Practical Implications and Actions to Take

The escalating violence could significantly impact safety in Quito, particularly if authorities are unable to contain the gang disputes. To minimize risks:

1. Stay Informed: Monitor news and official safety alerts for updates on high-risk areas.

2. Avoid Certain Neighborhoods: Refrain from visiting areas known for drug activity or violence.

3. Plan Travel Carefully: Consider secure transportation options and avoid traveling alone at night.

Source: La Hora.

A troubling incident in Cuenca highlights the risks of online dating apps like Tinder. A local young man, Pedro Tenorio, shared his experience of being drugged, assaulted, and robbed after meeting someone through the app. His story sheds light on a growing trend involving scopolamine, a powerful drug used to incapacitate victims.

The incident

On November 29, Tenorio arranged to meet a woman he had been chatting with on Tinder. The meeting took place at a mall in Cuenca, but he quickly noticed discrepancies. "Her appearance didn’t match her photos," Tenorio said, admitting he ignored this red flag.

After a brief conversation, the woman insisted they go to a park instead of a restaurant or bar. While there, a man claiming to be her brother arrived in a black car. The pair offered Tenorio a drink, and shortly after consuming it, he lost consciousness.

The aftermath

Tenorio woke up hours later, injured and disoriented. A taxi driver found him walking along a street in Cuenca, bloodied and crying. He had been beaten and robbed of his laptop, phone, wallet, and $500 in cash, including his recent paycheck.

Growing Concerns

This incident isn’t isolated. Similar cases have been reported in Cuenca and other regions. Scopolamine, often referred to as "devil’s breath," is commonly used in such scams in Colombia and is now appearing in Ecuador. Mixed with alcohol, the drug can erase memory and render victims compliant, making them easy targets.

Safety Measures

Authorities and experts urge both locals and tourists to exercise caution when meeting strangers from dating apps:

• Verify profiles carefully: Even verified accounts can be fake due to advanced AI technologies.

• Meet in public places: Avoid isolated locations or private areas.

• Avoid accepting drinks: Only consume drinks you’ve seen prepared.

Tenorio's case has caught the attention of the provincial governor, Santiago Malo, who pledged to address the issue. Meanwhile, Tenorio continues to recover from both physical injuries, including a fractured nose, and the emotional toll of the attack.

Source: Primicias.

The Ecuadorian government has extended the state of exception for 30 more days in six provinces and two cantons. This decision was made by President Daniel Noboa through Executive Decree 469, signed on Monday, December 2, 2024.

The state of exception, declared due to severe internal unrest, includes the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Santa Elena, El Oro, and Orellana, as well as the Metropolitan District of Quito (Pichincha) and the canton of Camilo Ponce Enríquez (Azuay).

This extension follows the conditions set out in the original declaration from October. The government emphasized that the primary goal of the measure is to ensure public order, social peace, and peaceful coexistence.

What This means for you

If you're in one of the affected areas, expect increased military and police patrols. While these measures aim to improve safety, be aware of potential disruptions to daily life, including checkpoints and stricter enforcement of public order regulations.

Source: El Universo.

The president has decreed a new curfew for parts of Ecuador from 10 pm to 5 am. See the image for the cantons with a curfew.

Primicias has a story about how fishermen in the Salinas region are forced to work for drug gangs. This article gives a good insight into what's going on in the ports and beaches of this region.

• Salinas and its surrounding areas are key points for sending cocaine to the USA and Europe.

• Unlike in Guayaquil, small fishing boats are used to transport drugs here.

• The gangs operate by the "plata o plomo" principle: fishermen are asked to transport cocaine in exchange for money (plata), and if they refuse, they may get killed (plomo means "lead" in English and stands for the lead of bullets).

• The following gangs operate in the Salinas region: Los Choneros, Los Lagartos, Los Tiguerones, Los Chone Killers, and Los Lobos.

• Fishermen rarely meet the top leaders of the drug operations; they usually only deal with middlemen.

• Fishermen earn around USD 10,000 per shipment, typically receiving USD 5,000 before a shipment and USD 5,000 after. However, they do not always receive the latter amount.

• Fishermen run the risk of getting involved in confrontations between competing gangs at sea and also risk being extorted by rival gangs.

On July 10, 2024, a new home robbery took place in Malacatos. Radio Municipal 90.1 FM reports that four people have been arrested following this home robbery. Below a translation of its report: 

After learning of a criminal act that occurred in the Malacatos parish, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 10, the Judicial Police began investigations into the case, given that this sector has been the victim of several criminal acts in recent months, causing great social connotation in the Loja community.

Through investigative techniques, the Loja Judicial Police managed to dismantle a criminal organization, leaving 4 people from the same family detained for the alleged crime of home robbery and more than 120 indications associated with the crime, so they proceeded to the search of a property in the Loja canton, Tierras Coloradas sector.

The police in Vilcabamba/Malacatos have been accused of being too passive. Many people even think that police officers are involved in the numerous home invasions that the region has suffered since last year. This arrest comes after a protest for more security earlier this week in Vilcabamba.

France 24 has published a documentary about the security crisis in Guayaquil. Guayaquil has always been a city with security problems, but the situation has deteriorated since last year.  

Primicias reported that a recent study revealed that four out of every 10 small businesses in Ecuador faced extortion in 2023.   

Since 2021, extortion of businesses in Ecuador has surged, becoming a major funding source for drug gangs. The Ecuadorian Organized Crime Observatory (OECO) surveyed 458 business owners in various regions, finding that in 2023, three out of every 10 companies were extorted, with 40% of cases going unreported.

Small businesses are frequent targets because they lack security measures. According to the OECO, 38% of small business owners experienced extortion in the last year, often facing multiple demands.

Extortion methods include calls, electronic messages, and visits. Besides extortion, companies also suffer from kidnapping, vandalism, fraud, and theft. Smaller businesses face more extortion, while larger ones experience more kidnappings.

In 2023, there were 21,811 extortion reports, a 2,430% increase from 2019. The rise was notable in 2023, with Guayas, Pichincha, Esmeraldas, and Los Ríos being the most affected provinces.

On Monday, June 10, 2024, an expat couple became the victims of a violent home invasion in El Carmen, a village 12 km north of Vilcabamba. This is one of many home invasions in the Vilcabamba area, but the violent nature of this incident makes it stand out.

Below you can read a document that was published about this home invasion. I don't know who the author of the document is, but Nicholas Crowder, one of the administrators of the Ecuador Expat Discussion Facebook group and in contact with the victims, told me that the documents accurately describe what happened during the home invasion.

Some thoughts about this home invasion and the security situation in the Vilcabamba area:

1. Home invasions are not new in the Vilcabamba area. Every few years, there seems to be a new wave of home invasions. Some people claim that in 2023, a new home invasion occurred every two weeks.
2. The violence of this home invasion is remarkable. Previously, there were also sometimes violent home invasions in the Vilcabamba area, but this one is clearly a new low, aside from the home invasion during which an expat was shot dead last year.
3. The attackers had a hostile attitude. The fact is that some locals have little regard for expats. One possible reason is that Vilcabamba has a very high percentage of expats, which has led to high housing prices in the area. There are, of course, locals who profit from this, but there are also many locals for whom owning a home has become too expensive. Additionally, there is little integration of expats into the local community.
4. A possible taxi driver is mentioned as an accomplice. Taxi drivers in Ecuador are often involved in criminal activities. It is therefore advisable never to give your exact home address to a taxi driver. Never let a taxi stop exactly at the place where you live. Only walk to your house once the taxi is out of sight.
5. It is not surprising that in this case, the police were passive and did not conduct a thorough investigation. This is a known problem in Ecuador. One possibility is that the police are somehow involved in these robberies.
6. The author suggests that locals actively seek contact with expats and befriend them to profile them. This is certainly a possibility. Therefore, it is important to be careful about sharing sensitive information and inviting people into your home.
7. The author provides good preventive measures. These measures reduce the risk of becoming a victim of home invasions, but this is by no means a guarantee that nothing can happen. These home invasions are not crimes of opportunity but seem to be well-prepared.
8. A safer alternative to the Vilcabamba area is the Yunguilla Valley, south of Cuenca. The climate and landscape are similar. While the Vilcabamba area is popular among wealthy people from Loja, Yunguilla is popular among wealthy people from Cuenca. Unlike the Vilcabamba area, home invasions are not a problem in the Yunguilla area. There are virtually no reports of home invasions in the Yunguilla Valley.