ECU911 Says About 1,000 Illegal Cameras Have Been Removed Nationwide

Ecuadorian authorities are expanding operations against irregular surveillance cameras.

El Universo reports that military personnel and ECU911 officials removed six cameras during an intervention in Fertisa, in southern Guayaquil.

The cameras were installed on public-lighting poles, and the final site was linked to a clandestine surveillance center.

What Authorities Found

El Universo reports that the property was unoccupied but contained a safe, pyrotechnics, money counters and other items that suggested possible use by criminal groups.

The outlet says the Fertisa operation is part of about 1,000 cameras removed nationwide because they were installed irregularly.

Most removed cameras had been placed on public-lighting poles, aimed toward public roads and private properties.

Where Removals Have Happened

El Universo reports the joint ECU911 and Armed Forces operations began on March 14, 2025, with the first intervention in Portoviejo.

In ECU911 zones 5 and 8, which cover Guayas, Los Rios, Santa Elena and Galapagos, officials have removed 119 cameras in Guayas, 108 in Santa Elena and 82 in Los Rios.

In Guayaquil, authorities have removed 95 cameras in areas including Fertisa, Fragata, isla Trinitaria, Esteros, Mapasingue, Martha de Roldos, Urdenor and Entrada de la 8 or avenida Casuarina.

This week, 20 cameras were removed near the Trinitaria port-zone entrance.

Why It Matters

El Universo quotes ECU911 zonal coordinator Patrizia Parodi saying criminal organizations use some cameras to control blocks, track when a woman opens her store and watch when a port worker enters an area.

Parodi also said ECU911 alerts other authorities, including the police, when irregular activity is discovered.

What This Means For Expats

Private cameras on homes are not the focus of this report. The removals described by El Universo involve cameras placed on public poles and aimed into public space or private properties.

If your building or neighborhood uses cameras, this is a good moment to confirm who owns them, where they point and whether they are connected through a lawful system. Security hardware can help, but in Ecuador it is now clearly part of the security enforcement map too.

Source: El Universo