Ecuador Hits 835 Days Under State of Emergency — But Cuenca Still Isn't Under Curfew

The Big Number

As of today, Ecuador has been under a continuous state of emergency for 835 days — since November 23, 2023. President Noboa has governed for 886 days total. That means the country has been under emergency measures for 95% of his presidency.

The Next Curfew

A seventh curfew begins May 3 and runs through May 18, 2026.

Hours: 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

Who's Affected

Nine provinces and four cantons:

• Pichincha (Quito)
• Guayas (Guayaquil)
• Los Ríos
• El Oro
• Manabí
• Esmeraldas
• Santa Elena
• Santo Domingo
• Sucumbíos
• Cantons: La Maná, Las Naves, Echeandía

Azuay is not on the list. Cuenca does not have a curfew.

The Legal Framework

The current emergency is governed by Decree 353, which expires May 31, 2026. By that date, Ecuador will have lived approximately 869 consecutive days under emergency restrictions.

What This Means for You in Cuenca

Locally? Nothing changes. No curfew hours, no military patrols, no movement restrictions. Cuenca continues operating normally.

But this matters if you:

• Travel to Quito or Guayaquil — curfew is 11 PM to 5 AM starting May 3. Late flights, early airport runs, and nightlife are affected
• Have visitors arriving — make sure they know about curfew hours in transit cities
• Drive the coast — Manabí, El Oro, and Santa Elena are all under curfew. Beach weekend plans after 11 PM need adjustment

The state of emergency also means heightened military presence and checkpoint authority in affected provinces. Keep your cédula or passport on you when traveling.

Source: Primicias