'Security of Americans in Ecuador?' Expat  

Security of Americans in Ecuador?

Brad (63.176.159.121) -

This is what the U.S. Embassy says about security of Americans in Ecuador.

What is the real story?

What are the real dangers?

Where are the safe places?

How much risk is there for expats?

The U.S. Embassy in Quito advises against travel to the northern border of Ecuador, to include the provinces of Sucumbios, Orellana and Carchi and northern Esmeraldas Province. U.S. Government personnel are restricted from travel to these areas due to the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, small arms trafficking, and incursions by various Colombian terrorist organizations. Since 1998, at least ten U.S. citizens have been kidnapped near Ecuador's border with Colombia. One U.S. citizen was murdered in January 2001 by kidnappers holding him for ransom.

Political demonstrations occur frequently throughout Ecuador for various reasons. Protesters often block city streets and rural highways, including major arteries such as the Pan American Highway. Public transportation is often disrupted during these events. Protesters may burn tires, throw rocks and Molotov cocktails, engage in destruction of property and detonate small improvised explosive devices during demonstrations. Police response may include water cannons and tear gas. United States citizens and U.S.- affiliated interests are not usually targeted, but U.S. citizens are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and to be prepared with backup transportation plans. Please see the following links for the local information in Quito and Guayaquil's Consular Districts, respectively: http://www.usembassy.org.ec/Espanol/CONSULAR/ConsuSP.htm and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov/wwwhengacswarden.html U.S. citizens may also keep informed of daily happenings by following the local news and police reports. As there are no English language news outlets in Ecuador, English-speaking hotel personnel and tour guides can also provide information if you do not speak Spanish.

• travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1106.html

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Comment #1 Gary from Ecuador development Group, Cotacachi -

We have lived in Ecuador for a year and have traveled extensively by bus between Ibarra, Cotacachi, Quito and the North coast. Some of what is posted in the state dept. item about security along the border with Columbia is correct. There is simply no reason for the casual tourist to go there. We went through San Lorenzo which is north of Esmeraldas once and it was not inviting, but quite interesting to view from the bus.

But most of the rest of the stuff in the post is either fear tactics by the us gov to keep people away from Ecuador, or it just hasn't been updated.

Ecuador does have a very effective form of participatory democracy--if the gov., local or national, does something the people don't like, they take to the streets and shut things down for awhile. For the most part the police just watch until it is finished. It is a fact of life and generally well accepted.

A few years ago, Ecuadorians were really upset with blatant corruption and kicked out several different presidents. It did get a bit violent when the presidents resisted the will of the people, but finally the politicians saw the light and left. Then the people went back to work. Refreshing, no? Now President Correa has a 70-75% popularity rating so things at the national level are pretty quiet.

Not once have we felt threatened in Ecuador. Generally, however, the mountains are safer than the coast, smaller cities and towns safer than large cities. Guayaquil particularly has a bad reputation. Of course, where ever you travel, it is wise to use common sense and be alert.

Check our website for travel safety tips and lots more. www.pro-Ecuador.com

Pleasant journeys

Gary

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