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11/07/2019 | Report
Ecuador 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Quito
3/3/2020 |
Report
Ecuador 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Quito
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This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in the provinces of Bolivar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Esmeraldas, Imbabura, Pastaza, Pichincha, Morona Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios and Tungurahua. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Ecuador country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Ecuador at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased precautions due to crime and civil unrest. Do not travel to Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbíos provinces due to crime. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Overall Crime and Safety Situation
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Quito as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
Crime Threats
Crime is a severe problem throughout Ecuador. Limited police and judicial resources, border security challenges, and low apprehension rates contribute to Ecuador’s overall high crime rate. American Citizen Services (ACS) crime statistics and the Ecuadorian National Police (ENP) document an increase of reported crimes in Ecuador in 2019 compared to 2018. The ENP reported increases of 6.6% and 11.9%, respectively, for crimes with arrest within the first 24 hours and those that required longer-term investigation. From the ACS data, the most common crime reported against an U.S. citizen was pickpocketing and, to a lesser extent, assault.
Violent crime has remained high over the last few years, with U.S. citizens reporting crimes that include armed assault, robbery, sexual assault, home invasion, and homicide. According to ENP homicide statistics, most victims and perpetrators knew one another. The government has established an emergency hotline (1-800-DELITO {1-800-335-486}) for witnesses to provide law enforcement information regarding homicide and organized crime.
Pickpockets and other petty thieves are particularly active in tourist areas, airports, restaurants, bus terminals, public markets, and grocery stores, and on public transportation and crowded streets. Criminals frequently target backpackers and travelers carrying laptop bags for robbery. In some cases, robbers have used motorcycles to approach their victims and flee the scene. Criminals have robbed tourists at gunpoint on beaches and along hiking trails. Many robberies take place in and around public transportation. Criminals rob those who have just finished using ATMs or exited banks. In the event of a robbery, comply with providing possessions to aggressors.
Avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash from banks and ATMs, and use ATMs only in secure venues or hotels. Reports of credit card fraud are commonplace – to avoid loss of your account number, use it only in trusted establishments. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.
Robberies and assaults committed against taxi passengers present a significant safety concern, especially in Guayaquil and Manta. Armed thieves have intercepted vehicles and threatened passengers and forced victims to withdraw money from ATMs. In some instances, these incidents have led to injury and sexual assault.
Carjacking or thefts from a vehicle have occurred while stopped at intersections. Smash-and-grabs occur when thieves break into parked, slow-moving, or stopped vehicles, particularly with lone female drivers.
Incidents of sexual assault and rape continue to be reported to the ENP, including in well-traveled tourist areas. The ENP report that use of date-rape drugs (e.g. Rohypnol and scopolamine) to facilitate assault persist. Mitigate risk by travelling in groups, maintaining control over their food/drink in bars and restaurants, and exercising caution in nightclubs.
Although street crime is prevalent throughout Ecuador, stay particularly alert near the Panecillo, Bellavista neighborhood, the Historic District, and Mariscal Sucre areas in Quito. Tourists frequent these areas, as do opportunistic criminals. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind.
Quito’s Mariscal Sucre district, a popular tourist area, is increasingly a site of crime. Avoid walking in the area surrounding Plaza Foch at night. Make efforts to book transportation to and from destinations in advance to avoid reliance on taxis. As a common nightlife destination, it is also a hub for criminal activity, drug-dealing, and prostitution.
Criminal incidents from 2019 involving U.S. citizens in Ecuador that highlight the need for visitors include the following:
- On December 12, three men robbed a woman in her car during daylight hours as she was entering a department store in the city center and fired their weapons at the vehicle to facilitate a robbery.
- On November 5, a U.S. Embassy employee was the victim of an attempted robbery and assault at approximately 5 p.m. while walking out of a business meeting in the city center.
- On October 16, a U.S. Embassy employee was robbed at gunpoint by two men on a motorcycle two blocks from the Embassy.
- On March 3, a U.S. citizen was murdered during a home invasion in Conocoto, a suburb of Quito.
- In January, a U.S. citizen was a victim of an attempted carjacking. Two criminals surreptitiously approached the victim’s vehicle from both sides at a traffic light at approximately 11 p.m., smashing the passenger-side window while forcing the driver-side door open. The driver accelerated and escaped with only damage to his vehicle.
- In January, a U.S. citizen was the victim of a smash and grab in their unattended vehicle. The perpetrators were believed to be seen escaping in their own vehicle after stealing a bag of valuables left on the passenger seat at approximately 8 p.m.
Other Areas of Concern
The U.S. Embassy advises against travel to the northern region of Ecuador bordering Colombia. The provinces of Sucumbíos, Carchi, and the northern part of Esmeraldas have higher levels of organized crime, narco-trafficking, and human smuggling. Although military and government agencies continue to promote economic development and law enforcement, security risks remain significantly higher there than other parts of Ecuador.
Cybersecurity Issues
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?
Transportation-Safety Situation
Road Safety and Road Conditions
Although some of Ecuador’s roads and highways have improved in recent years, conditions remain dangerous, especially at night. During holidays, highways and streets are crowded with pedestrians that stray into the road with little caution exercised. In late evening hours in certain areas it is common for motorists to run red lights.
Some roads are in poor condition and can become impassable during the rainy season. Mountain roads to popular destinations often lack standard vehicle safety barriers like guard rails. Heavy fog exacerbates dangerous road conditions by reducing visibility. In the countryside, livestock often moves along roads or grazes on roadsides. Due to a lack of sidewalks, pedestrians often walk along highways. Motorists should carry a cellular phone, extra batteries and a first aid kit in case of an emergency.
Two incidents are demonstrative of some of the risks of driving in Ecuador, occurring within three days of one another in August 2018. A large bus collided with a small vehicle at high speed, killing 24 people and injuring 19, on a stretch of road known as “Dead Man’s Curve” at 3 a.m.; and a bus carrying soccer fans overturned on a highway, killing 12 and injuring 30.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Police may take any driver involved in an accident where injuries are involved or the driver does not have insurance into custody, even the driver is not at fault. If injuries or damages are serious, the driver may face criminal charges.
Public Transportation Conditions
Bus passengers are often targets of crime. Thieves often steal luggage stowed below the bus, in overhead racks, or at a traveler’s feet. Numerous bus accidents occur every year; many buses are overcrowded, in poor condition, and lack seat belts or other safety features. Armed criminals have boarded local city buses and robbed passengers. There have been instances in which criminals blocked routes between cities, forcing buses to stop, and robbing passengers. For the aforementioned reasons, the Embassy strongly advises against travel by bus.
Travelers to Ecuador may find it more helpful to pre-book taxi travel through a reputable company, a ride-hailing service, or a major hotel. Registered taxis are usually yellow, display matching unit numbers on their windshields and doors, feature a taxi cooperative name on the door, and have orange license plates. Many taxis do not have rear seat belts. Some taxi drivers do not use meters, especially at night, and sometimes charge more than the usual fare. Negotiate rates prior to departure. Take a photo of the license plate and send it to someone you know for accountability. There is nothing wrong with making sure the taxi driver knows you used this security best practice for your personal safety.
Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Aviation/Airport Conditions
Aviation is generally the safest mode of travel within Ecuador. However, armed robbers have targeted arriving passengers by following them from the airports in Quito and Guayaquil. Examples include multiple vehicles that cut off and intercept a victim, as well as a single motorcycle rider who robs a victim getting out of a car. The perpetrators appear to focus on travelers returning from overseas trips laden with gifts and large amounts of cash.
Terrorism Threat
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Quito as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Consistent with the majority of Latin America, there is moderate risk of terrorist attacks focused on Ecuador. Attacks in Ecuador have traditionally involved small domestic organizations as well as Colombian dissident groups (FARC and ELN) operating within Ecuador's borders.
A car bomb caused damage to a local police command center one morning in January 2018 in the city of San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas province, near the Colombian border. There were no fatalities, but several injuries.
Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Quito as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Ecuador has a long tradition of peaceful political demonstrations. However, the October 3-13, 2019 protests throughout Ecuador turned violent, with the burning of government buildings and violent attacks against police, military personnel, the media, and ambulances. Road blockades disrupted the freedom of movement of Ecuadorians, as well as thousands of U.S. citizen residents and tourists. Airlines canceled many flights to and from Quito, and protesters at times blocked access to the airport by taking control of airport access roads.
As a general matter, student, labor union, and indigenous protests against government policies are a regular feature of political life. While disruptive, especially to transportation, violence is usually minimal and localized. Protesters occasionally burn tires, throw Molotov cocktails, engage in destruction of property, and detonate small improvised explosive devices, but fatalities are rare. Protesters sometimes use pamphlet bombs to disseminate political literature.
Visitors to Ecuador should be sure to keep apprised of political developments in Ecuador prior to travel. The protests in October 2019 began with little warning and escalated rapidly. If travelers are in Ecuador during a time of political unrest, they may have to obey government mandated curfews. U.S. citizens should register with the U.S. Embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive regular security updates and notices.
The influx of Venezuelan refugees has increased tensions in parts of Ecuador. The January 2019 murder an Ecuadorian woman in Ibarra by a Venezuelan migrant led to reprisal attacks against Venezuelans in cities throughout Ecuador.
It is against the law for foreigners to engage in any political activity that promotes civil instability, or that authorities consider likely to instigate international conflict. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Religious/Ethnic Violence
Some communities have used protests and strikes to obtain promises of increased government spending on social benefits and infrastructure. Some indigenous communities have blocked road access to petroleum/mining companies.
Post-Specific Concerns
Environmental Hazards
Ecuador has many active and potentially active volcanoes, including around Quito and other popular tourist destinations. Three active volcanoes within 100 kilometers of Quito pose a danger in the event of an eruption.
Baños is a popular tourist destination at the base of the Tungurahua volcano; Tungurahua has erupted explosively several times in the last decade, including 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, all of which produced significant ash fall. Mud/lava flows could pose a significant, immediate threat in Baños, especially the western side of town. If you are in Baños when a volcanic eruption occurs, stay alert to sirens and instructions from local authorities, and follow the arrows on the street to reach the evacuation shelters in the Santa Ana neighborhood on the main road on the east side of town toward Puyo.
In 2015, the Cotopaxi volcano erupted, distributing light volcanic ash over Quito.
In 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck just off the coast of Ecuador, devastating many coastal communities from Manta to Pedernales. Aftershocks reached Quito and Guayaquil.
Other potential environmental threats include flooding and tsunamis. Earthquakes sometimes trigger deadly tsunamis, which could strike coastal areas of Ecuador or the Galápagos Islands. Authorities disseminate warnings of potential tsunamis, but the local response is uneven.
Critical Infrastructure
In the event of a natural disaster, transportation, water, communications, and power systems may fail due to damaged infrastructure or heavy ash fall. Roads may close, and flight delays or cancellations may occur.
Personal Identity Concerns
The Ecuadorian government is broadly tolerant of religious practices. Ecuador was one of the first countries in the world to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Same-sex marriage is legal. LGBTI+ individuals may still face discrimination. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.
Travelers with disabilities might have difficulty accessing buildings. Sidewalks in some areas are narrow and poorly maintained. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.
Drug-Related Crimes
The amount of drugs flowing through Ecuador, estimated to be in excess of 100 metric tons of cocaine per year, has contributed to the rise of all types of crime; the Mexican Sinaloa and Gulf Cartels operate in Ecuador.
The Colombian and Peruvian border areas are transshipment points for cocaine, precursor chemicals used in illegal drug production, and arms/supplies for Colombian insurgent groups and narco-traffickers. Businesses especially in the northern border area report the existence of extortion rackets.
Traditional hallucinogens, often referred to as ayahuasca or San Pedro, are often marketed to tourists as “spiritual cleansing” and typically contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a strong hallucinogen that is illegal in the United States and many other countries—including Ecuador. Health risks are not well understood, and, on occasion, people suffer serious illness or death after taking these drugs. Intoxicated travelers also have been assaulted and robbed. These incidents often occur a great distance from medical facilities, making the risks even greater.
Kidnapping Threat
Kidnappings have occurred along the northern border with Colombia, with some targeting foreigners. Kidnappings occur more due to economic rather than political motivations. The Sucumbíos region has a high rate of kidnappings for ransom. Kidnappers do not specifically target U.S. citizens. Traditional drug trafficking organizations – especially those with a propensity for violence, such as the Mexican Sinaloa and Gulf Cartels – operate in Ecuador. At least 17 U.S. citizens have been victims of kidnapping in this region in the past 13 years, four of whom were kidnapped in 2019. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.
Police Response
Police coverage can be unreliable outside major urban areas. Ecuador has a low conviction and incarceration rate for major crimes. Victims of crime in Ecuador should not expect the justice system to proceed with the speed and thoroughness as seen in the United States. Although the U.S. Mission monitors and encourages investigations, the ability to assist in enforcement is limited. The threshold for petty crime is US$600, meaning that police do little for victims whose loss is less than that amount.
U.S. citizens arrested in Ecuador should request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Outside of Quito and Guayaquil, awareness of international protocols is uneven. If arrested, request that the authorities do this on your behalf.
U.S. victims of police corruption, bribery, or harassment should contact American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy for assistance.
Dial 911 to reach ECU-911 for all emergencies. Operators typically speak Spanish. English speakers are sometimes available to handle emergency calls from other English speakers. If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, immediately contact the local police to file a crime report (denuncia) and inform the U.S. Consulate General at (04) 371-7000. Investigation and prosecution of perpetrators is the responsibility of the Ecuadorian government; it does not proceed with the speed and thoroughness to which we are accustomed in the U.S. Although the U.S. Consulate monitors and encourages investigations, the ability to intervene is extremely limited. Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Medical Emergencies
Quito has modern medical services along with a trauma hospital with a variety of specialty services available. Medical care outside of Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil is more limited; basic medical services are available in small towns and villages, but travelers seeking medical care should do so only in major cities. Travelers taking prescription medications should bring an adequate supply with them; U.S. brand names are not often available. Physicians and hospital personnel frequently do not speak English, and medical reports are in Spanish.
In an emergency, call an ambulance via 911. Several private ambulances services have advanced cardiac and trauma equipment with a physician on board in medical emergencies.
Expatriates in Quito treat medical emergencies at Hospital Metropolitano and Hospital de los Valles in Cumbaya; in Guayaquil, they use the Clínica Kennedy and the Clínica Alcivar. Although the facilities at these hospitals are modern and often technologically advanced, they may not meet all U.S. standards. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the Embassy’s Medical Assistance webpage.
Consult with your medical insurance company prior to travel, to confirm whether the policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses (e.g., medical evacuation - “medevac”). Many travel insurance companies have policies that include medical services and evacuation. Prepare to pay medical practitioners and hospitals at the time of service, or even before treatment. Payment for medical services is typically on a cash basis, although the few private hospitals will accept major credit cards for payment. Ecuadorian providers do not accept U.S. health insurance plans.
Country-Specific Vaccination and Health Guidance
Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date. Ecuador only requires yellow fever vaccination for entry if the traveler has recently visited a country where yellow fever is endemic. Consider typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccination for visits of more than a month.
Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Ecuador.
OSAC Country Council Information
The Quito Country Council meets once a year. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Latin America team with any questions or to participate.
U.S. Embassy Contact Information
Embassy Address: E12-170 Avigiras Ave. and Eloy Alfaro Ave., Quito
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 0800 to 1700
Main Switchboard: +593-2-398-5000
Marine Security Guard Post One: +593-2-398-5200
Embassy Duty Officer: +593-997-883-222 (0997-883-222 from within Ecuador)
Website: http://ec.usembassy.gov
Other U.S. Diplomatic Posts in Ecuador
U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil is responsible for coverage of the Galapagos Islands.
Helpful Information
Before you travel, consider the following resources: