Ecuador

Iconic Salcedo ice cream is facing collapse as daily power outages up to 14 hours are shutting down factories, forcing businesses like Polar Bear to slash production, lay off staff, and rely on family labor, threatening a cultural and economic staple

Protests against President Daniel Noboa's economic policies are continuing, demanding respect for workers' rights and real solutions to the nation's energy crisis, as the daily energy cuts still persist

Thousands of protesters in Quito demanded the resignation of President Daniel Noboa, citing frustration over the ongoing energy and economic crisis, with unions and social movements criticizing the government's "inability" to address key issues

Amid a severe energy crisis with daily 14-hour blackouts, Ecuador’s government extended next week’s holiday to create a five-day break aimed at boosting tourism, despite recent power rationing due to drought affecting the main hydroelectric source

A partial state of emergency was declared in Quito due to rising violence from drug trafficking groups, with the measure lasting 60 days and including a curfew, as the government combats organized crime linked to international cartels

Both day and night power outages are occurring amid the worst drought in 60 years, with the Ministry of Energy announcing that scheduled nighttime blackouts have extended into daylight hours due to severe weather conditions

María Daniela Icaza, the director of Ecuador's largest prison, was shot and killed by hitmen while traveling near Guayaquil, marking the second prison director assassination in less than two weeks

An 8 month amnesty for Venezuelan migrants in irregular status has been announced by Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, offering a special visa to aid their regularization, with the process allowing document renewals and free from penalties

A nighttime curfew has been set, restricting movement between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM in over 20 sectors across four provinces, to address rising insecurity

Ecuador celebrated its gold medal at Paris 2024 as Daniel Pintado won the 20km race walk, becoming the second Ecuadorian to win gold in this event after Jefferson Pérez in 1996