New Curfew Imposed in Four Ecuadorian Provinces: No Safe-Conducts Issued

The Ecuadorian government has announced a new temporary curfew affecting four key provinces: Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and El Oro. This measure, announced by Minister of the Interior John Reimberg on September 11, 2026, is set to begin at 00:00 on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and will remain in effect until 23:59 on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

During this fourteen-day period, circulation will be restricted nightly between 00:00 and 05:00. A significant aspect of this new directive is the explicit statement that no safe-conducts of any type will be issued, marking a stricter enforcement approach compared to previous restrictions.

Purpose and Scope of the Curfew

Minister Reimberg described the measure as both temporary and localized, designed to address specific security needs. The primary objective is to intensify operations against organized crime structures within these provinces. The government plans a broad deployment of the Security Bloc, which comprises the National Police, Armed Forces, and the Ministries of Interior and Defense, alongside international allies, to enforce the curfew and conduct these operations.

Exemptions to the Mobility Restriction

While the general public will face strict mobility restrictions during the specified hours, certain essential personnel are permitted to circulate. These include:

• Sanitary staff
• Emergency responders
• Duly accredited prosecutors and lawyers for flagrancy hearings
• Media outlets, provided they are properly identified and accompany security forces

It is important to note that these exemptions are specific and do not extend to other individuals or activities, reinforcing the government's stance against issuing safe-conducts.

Context of Recent Security Measures

This latest curfew is part of a series of security measures implemented by the government of Daniel Noboa in 2026. The first curfew ordered by Noboa this year was on March 13, applying to Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Subsequently, on April 28, a mobility restriction was adopted through Decree 270, which suspended rights related to inviolability of domicile, correspondence, and freedom of transit in several provinces, including Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, Pichincha, Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and Sucumbíos, as well as specific cantons.

More recently, on August 14, President Noboa renewed a state of exception for thirty additional days due to grave internal commotion in a broader set of provinces and cantons. The current curfew, however, is distinct in its explicit prohibition of safe-conducts and its focused application to four specific provinces.

What This Means for Expats

Foreign residents in Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and El Oro provinces must be aware of and strictly adhere to the new curfew regulations. The period from 00:00 to 05:00 daily, between September 17 and September 30, 2026, is a no-travel zone for most individuals. The critical absence of safe-conducts means that even for seemingly legitimate reasons, general circulation is prohibited. Expats should plan their activities to ensure they are off the streets and in their residences before midnight and remain there until 05:00. Travel between cities within these provinces, or to and from them, should be scheduled outside of curfew hours. For those residing in or planning to visit these areas, understanding the strict nature of this curfew is essential for personal safety and compliance with national regulations. The measure is temporary, but its enforcement is expected to be rigorous, given the stated objective of intensifying operations against organized crime.

Sources: eluniverso.com; eluniverso.com; eluniverso.com.

Image: AI-generated illustration.