Canada issues urgent travel advisory for South American tourist destination
If you’re travelling from Canada to Ecuador, make sure you’re up to date on the latest travel advisory, as the country has issued a serious new update.
On Thursday, the Government of Canada updated its Ecuador travel advice, warning tourists of “safety and security risks” in the country. According to the statement, a state of emergency is in effect in various provinces, with curfews set to be implemented soon in response to gang violence.
“Ecuador is in a state of ‘internal armed conflict,'” reads the update. “There is an increased presence of security forces to contain gang violence across the country, including in Guayaquil and Quito.”
During a state of emergency, security forces have the power to enter private homes and read mail and phone records. They also have the power to conduct raids, inspections, and searches, as well as “prohibit assembly.”
Travellers in Ecuador will likely see increased police and military presence, especially near prisons. Tourists are urged to carry their ID at all times and to follow the instructions of local authorities.
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According to the BBC, the U.S. and Ecuador have carried out joint operations to target drug trafficking in the South American country. President Daniel Noboa said the country is working with the U.S. in its war on the drug cartels, and that 70 per cent of the world’s cocaine flows through Ecuador’s ports.
The state of emergency is in effect in Bolívar (in Echeandía and Las Naves cantons only), Cotopaxi (in La Maná canton only), El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and Sucumbíos.
Starting from March 15 to 30, a curfew will be in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Guayas, Los Ríos, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and El Oro.
Canadians travelling abroad are urged to sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA), a free and confidential service that notifies Canadian citizens outside the country of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.