America Ecuador The country has enforced its first Personal Data Protection Law, imposing fines on companies that disclose customer information without authorisation; the law covers all types of data and aims to safeguard citizens from the illegal data market
America Ecuador The National Assembly voted to proceed with the impeachment process against President Guillermo Lasso, accused of embezzlement, potentially leading to his removal this month
America Ecuador Armed forces have had presidential order to execute anti-terrorism actions throughout the territory, using all means against criminal organizations, in response to the violence that has been affecting the country for the past 2 years
America Ecuador The country has launched a debt buyback plan that will free up money to protect its Galapagos Islands; buying back bonds for a total of US$800 million, the state will refinance them more cheaply to then funnel the savings into the Galapagos
America Ecuador An ancient and pristine coral reef teeming with marine life has been discovered in the depths of the Galapagos Islands; found between 400 and 600 meters below sea level, a rare find in deep waters
America Ecuador The country’s shrimp exports have increased by approximately 22% this year due to China’s increase in demand, mainly due to the product’s easiness when it comes to freshness and food safety regulations
America Ecuador A state of emergency has been declared as a magnitude 6,8 earthquake struck the Baláo region, leaving over 1500 people affected and resulting in the deployment of emergency agents to the area in order to provide food and shelter
America Ecuador Intense rains in the Manabí area have affected around 80.000 locals and left over 2.800 hectares underwater, causing the government to have to resort to the building of emergency shelters for the hundreds of displaced families
America Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso and his Costa Rican counterpart, Rodrigo Chaves, have signed a historic free trade agreement between both countries, which includes free trade for 97% of Ecuadorian products and over 90% of Costa Rican products
America Ecuador Cocaine bricks mixed with gravel and cement for building houses have so far helped get rid of approximately 61% of the drugs confiscated in recent years, an innovative method implemented by Ecuador to use its tons of confiscated vegetal material
America Ecuador Minister of Agriculture Bernardo Manzano has officially resigned from his position, after his department has been allegedly linked to a corruption scandal and drug trafficking that involves people close to President Guillermo Lasso
America Ecuador Over 13 million Ecuadorians have voted and ultimately rejected a state referendum modifying the current constitution — which would’ve altered its government structure, water protection, and criminal law
America Ecuador The anti-corruption department is currently going through a crisis as the Secretary of Anti-Corruption, Luis Verdesoto, has resigned after an investigation was opened against him for alleged illicit activities committed within the electric sector