Families Of Missing Persons Push Ecuador For More Search Capacity

Families of missing persons in Ecuador are asking for more search capacity, more staff and faster operational responses as disappearance cases place growing pressure on the system.

Expreso highlighted the case of Marcos Cedeno, a security guard who disappeared after traveling for work to Puna Island on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The article also cited Lidia Rueda, vice president of Asfadec, who said the situation has worsened.

What The Official System Reports

The National System for the Search for Missing and Lost Persons and Response to Victims publishes data on missing persons, found persons and where to report cases.

Its latest accountability figures cited by Expreso say 430 people were trained or sensitized in 2023, 1,600 in 2024, and 568 from January to June 2025.

Service activations also rose: 55 activations were coordinated between 2023 and 2024, while 207 activations were coordinated from January to June 2025, reaching 386 people.

What This Means for Expats

The practical point is not to wait. Families and advocates stress that reports should be received immediately, regardless of how many hours have passed. If someone is missing, contact authorities quickly, preserve phone records and location details, and ask for the case to be entered through the formal system.

Source: Expreso