US issues travel advisory update for Ecuador amid criminal record border controls

The US Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Ecuador requirements for crossing land borders.

On April 7, the country ended a state of emergency in place since January, with military and police personnel given greater powers to restrict people’s movements, search private property and combat terrorist organizations.

Although most of these restrictions have been lifted, land border restrictions remain in place.

This means that Americans and other foreigners crossing Peruvian or Colombian land borders with Ecuador are forced to provide immigration officials with an apostille certificate showing that the criminal record is clean.

This “certificate of good conduct” is issued by your local police department, but some officers may not be aware of its existence because it is “rare” in the US, the government says.

Note that this document must have an apostille. Please see the page for this authentications.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in Ecuador warn Americans that these agencies are unable to assist travelers in obtaining this document, so you must personally deliver it to your home.

Another important piece of information that visitors should be aware of is that Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has confirmed that his country is still in a “crisis situation.”internal armed conflict,‘Because of crime.

Be that as it may, the country remains classified as ‘Level 2: Take extra caution’ not particularly dangerous.

Cities and roads across the country are flooded with police and military officials. So make sure you always have a valid ID with you, in case the authorities ask you to identify yourself.

All of the above measures were taken after the Ecuadorian president declared a state of emergency and a nationwide curfew following the prison escape of Adolfo “Fito” Macías, a high-profile Ecuadorian criminal who sparked a wave of civil unrest and gang violence around the world. country.

Today, petty theft and violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery and kidnapping, can occur even in tourist areas. Furthermore, due to political and economic factors, demonstrations can begin at any time, with little to no notice.

One of the basic steps you can take to protect yourself is to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to keep yourself informed about the changing political situation and to help the government locate you in an emergency.

DO NOT travel to these areas

Given the current political instability and the risk of being kidnapped or even murdered, the government advises against traveling to the following areas:

Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue; the towns of Huaquillas and Arenillas in the province of El Oro; the towns of Quevedo, Quinsaloma and Pueblo Viejo in the province of Los Rios; the Canton of Duran, in the province of Guayas; and the city of Esmeraldas due to intensive criminal activities.

The government explicitly says that it lacks consular capacity to help you if you run into problems in any of these areas. By visiting these areas you mean taking your own chances.