AGP Executive Report

Ecuador Security: At least 3 people were killed and 1 injured in an armed attack in Ecuador, underscoring ongoing violence concerns. El Niño Watch: Ecuador raised its El Niño alert to “red” as Pacific warming intensifies, with officials warning of drought and wildfires. Politics & Diplomacy: Qatar and Ecuador held a second round of political consultations, focusing on cooperation and mutual interests. Energy & Communities: In Imbabura’s Intag Valley, 19 families are developing a community-owned 300-kilowatt run-of-river hydropower project, with revenue earmarked for conservation. Environment & Science: Researchers reported that Ecuador’s Chocó forests include a newly formally described frog species, after a century-long taxonomic mix-up. International Spotlight: The U.S. Treasury’s Scott Bessent pointed to Ecuador among Western Hemisphere countries shifting away from socialism, while South Korea named Robert Moreno as interim coach with Ecuador on the schedule. Sports: Ecuador’s seafood culture got a viral boost in Ibai Llanos’ “Food World Cup,” where Ecuador beat Cuba in the round of 16.

El Niño Emergency: Ecuador has raised its El Niño risk alert to nationwide “red,” activating emergency committees and preventive evacuations as Pacific conditions intensify, with sea-surface temperature anomalies reported around 4°C off the coast. Armed Violence in Guayaquil: At least three people were killed and one injured in an early-morning attack in Guayaquil’s Pascuales district, as Ecuador continues to face an internal armed conflict tied to organized crime. Corruption Case Update: Former President Lenín Moreno was sentenced to five years in prison in the Sinohydro bribery case, with his defense signaling appeals and arguing he received no money. Energy Security: Ecuador ramped up electricity purchases from Colombia ahead of the dry season, using more cross-border capacity to protect reservoir levels. Public Health Access: IESS launched teletriage/telemedicine in Cuenca to divert lower-complexity cases from crowded emergency care. Diplomacy & Trade: Ecuador and Qatar held second-round political consultations, with talks also focused on expanding business ties. Sports (Ecuador link): South Korea named Robert Moreno interim coach and will host Ecuador in September friendlies. Community Story: A Quito tandem-biking club is helping blind riders take part in weekly rides and longer trips across Ecuador.

Ecuador Security & Justice: Ecuador’s courts delivered a major corruption blow by sentencing former President Lenín Moreno to five years in jail over the Coca Codo Sinclair bribery case, with prosecutors alleging Sinohydro paid about $76.1 million in bribes via fraudulent consulting contracts; Moreno was also permanently barred from public office, while family members and a former Chinese ambassador received prison terms. El Niño Preparedness: Ecuador declared a nationwide red alert as El Niño conditions intensify, activating emergency committees across provinces and municipalities, with officials warning of flooding and landslides in low-lying areas and drought risks that could disrupt hydroelectric generation. Regional Crime & Governance: A new report argues that in parts of Latin America, criminal groups increasingly run parallel systems of authority—collecting revenue, controlling movement, and settling disputes—raising the stakes beyond a purely security fight. Sports (Ecuador-linked): Ecuador’s CD Jorge Guzmán is set to host Group B of the Liga Sudamericana de Baloncesto 2026 in Loja, with Corinthians, Nacional and Regatas Corrientes also in the mix.

Corruption Case in Ecuador: Former President Lenín Moreno was sentenced to five years in prison for bribery tied to a Chinese-linked hydroelectric contract, with the court ordering him to serve under house arrest due to disability. Human Rights Watch: Ecuador’s human rights body logged 53 forced-disappearance cases since 2024, concentrated in Guayas, Esmeraldas and Los Ríos, with international precautionary measures granted for missing people. Security & Cartels: U.S. SOUTHCOM chief Gen. Francis Donovan met Ecuador and Colombian defense leaders in San Lorenzo to expand sustained joint operations against cartel groups along the border. Wildlife Enforcement: Ecuadorian authorities arrested a Russian woman at Quito airport for smuggling 32 live marine iguanas from the Galápagos in her luggage, launching wildlife-trafficking charges. Sports (Ecuadorian spotlight): Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo left injured after a brief appearance in a 4-3 win over Brighton; manager Xabi Alonso said it’s likely not a new problem.

El Niño Response: Ecuador has declared a nationwide red alert as El Niño conditions evolve, with emergency committees and preventive evacuations planned for about 1.3 million people across 17 provinces. Human Rights Watch: Ecuador’s human-rights watchdog says 53 forced disappearances have been registered since 2024, concentrated in Guayas, Esmeraldas and Los Ríos, with court action tied to the Las Malvinas case. Anti-Cartel Push at Sea: U.S. Marines and sailors, with Ecuadorian coordination, boarded a suspected “floating refueling station” vessel in the Pacific and later sank it, targeting logistics linked to Los Choneros. Border Cartels & Sovereignty Debate: A commentary questions the strategy of announcing a unified offensive against border cartels before results are public, raising concerns for sovereignty and civilian risk. Corruption Verdict: Ecuador’s court sentenced former President Lenín Moreno to five years in a bribery case tied to the Coca Codo Sinclair dam. Sports (Ecuador link): Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo left injured after a brief appearance vs Brighton, and Xabi Alonso said it’s likely not a new problem.

El Niño Response: Ecuador has declared a nationwide red alert as El Niño conditions evolve, activating emergency committees and preventive measures across 17 provinces, with officials warning about 1.3 million people could be affected. Anti-Corruption Courts: A Quito court sentenced former President Lenín Moreno to five years in prison over bribery tied to the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric dam, with Moreno to serve under house arrest and a ban from public office. Drug War at Sea: U.S. and Ecuadorian forces boarded and sank a vessel in the eastern Pacific that authorities say functioned as a floating refueling station for drug-trafficking linked to Los Choneros, with people removed and escorted to Ecuador. Wildlife Enforcement: Ecuador arrested a Russian woman at Quito’s airport after seizing 32 marine iguanas from the Galápagos, with the animals sent to a conservation center. Energy/Trade Note: U.S. crude imports from Iraq reportedly fell to zero last week, while Ecuador recorded no crude shipments in the same period.

Corruption Verdict: Ecuador’s former President Lenín Moreno was sentenced to five years in prison for bribery tied to the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric project, with the court ordering him to serve under house arrest due to disability; prosecutors said Chinese state firm Sinohydro paid about $76.1 million in illegal commissions via shell companies and fictitious consulting contracts. U.S.-Ecuador Anti-Drug Ops: The U.S. military, working with Ecuadorian authorities, boarded and sank a vessel described as a floating refueling station for drug traffickers in the eastern Pacific, saying it supported the Los Choneros network; people removed from the ship were escorted to Ecuador. Deportation Fight: U.S. immigration authorities deported former Ecuador Interior Minister José Serrano, accused in the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, after a judge blocked removal over torture fears. Regional Crime Crackdown: Colombia captured a suspected senior Tren de Aragua leader, highlighting deepening security cooperation with the U.S. Sports: Ecuador’s Andy Andrade reached the ATP Kingston 2 final, while Ecuador grappling and football items also circulated alongside international U-20 women’s tournament coverage.

Corruption Verdict in Ecuador: A Quito court sentenced former President Lenín Moreno to five years in prison for bribery tied to the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric dam, saying Chinese firm Sinohydro paid about $76.1 million in bribes via fraudulent consulting contracts; Moreno was also permanently barred from public office, while his wife, daughter, and other relatives received prison terms and he denied taking “a single cent.” U.S.-Ecuador Anti-Drug Push at Sea: The U.S. Southern Command says it, with Ecuadorian authorities, intercepted and sank a vessel in the eastern Pacific described as a “floating refueling station” supporting the Ecuador-linked cartel Los Choneros, with crew removed and taken to Ecuador. Ecuador in the Spotlight Beyond Politics: A separate report highlights Ecuador’s role in a growing El Niño story, with research using Galápagos coral records suggesting stronger El Niño events as the planet warms.

Ecuador Court Case: Ecuador’s court found former President Lenin Moreno guilty in a hydroelectric bribery case tied to the country’s biggest plant, according to prosecutors. Human Rights & Family Law: Human Rights Watch condemned Ecuador’s new adoption law, saying it discriminates against LGBT people and could strip parental authority over certain medical decisions involving transgender children. Security Cooperation: Ecuador, Colombia and the U.S. met in Esmeraldas to plan a coordinated offensive to block drug routes and dismantle cartel logistics, with the U.S. backing personnel and intelligence. Cybersecurity: Resecurity signed an MoU with Ecuador’s CiberPOL to boost detection and investigation of cybercrime through shared threat intelligence, training, and technical support. Sports (Ecuador in the spotlight): Ecuador’s cyclist Jonathan Caicedo signed a one-year deal through 2027 with Burgos Burpellet BH, and Ecuador’s athletes helped Venezuela win 22 golds at a weightlifting event in Guayaquil.

Ecuador–U.S. Anti-Drug Push: Ecuadorian security forces, with SOUTHCOM and the DEA, carried out major joint raids (Operation Factoria and Jerico) against Los Lobos and Los Choneros networks across six provinces, netting dozens of arrests, seizing aviation fuel, weapons, devices, cash, and dismantling two clandestine airstrips. El Niño Watch for Ecuador: New research using coral records says El Niño episodes are intensifying as the planet warms, with major knock-on risks for rainfall and extremes—an issue Ecuador is already bracing for as conditions shift. Immigration Fallout Hits Ecuadorians Abroad: A Kissimmee mother and daughter who were detained by ICE after a viral hospital arrest have self-deported to Ecuador, while other reports highlight ongoing ICE activity involving Ecuadorian residents in the U.S. Global Crime Trend: A new organized-crime report says “foreign actors” are driving the sharpest cross-border rise, underscoring how cartel-linked networks keep spreading faster than governments. Sports Spotlight: Mariangeli Martínez won multiple medals in Guayaquil as Ecuador hosted weightlifting qualifiers tied to the Lima 2027 Pan American Games.

Anti-Drug Crackdown: Ecuadorian security forces, backed by SOUTHCOM and the DEA, carried out major joint raids (Operation Factoria and Jerico) against Los Lobos and Los Choneros across six provinces, arresting 43 suspects and seizing an aircraft, vehicles, fuel, communications gear, weapons, and large quantities of cocaine and synthetic drugs. Maritime Trade Boost: DP World launched its AX4 weekly direct Asia service from the Port of Posorja, cutting reliance on transshipment and targeting temperature-sensitive exports like shrimp and bananas with about 21-day transit times. Shrimp Export Update: China has lifted its suspension for eight Ecuadorian shrimp-farming firms, reopening access after months on China’s no-import lists, though six others remain blocked. Climate Watch (El Niño): New coral records from Ecuador’s Galápagos show El Niño events intensifying as the planet warms, with major knock-on risks for rainfall, drought, and extreme heat. Tourism Pressure: Ecuador’s tourism sector is reacting to heightened U.S. travel warnings, with businesses split between pushing for downgrades and urging visitors to use more detailed, area-by-area guidance.

Cross-Border Security: Ecuador says it is coordinating with Colombia and the U.S. on “sustained operations” against drug-trafficking-linked armed groups along the northern border, using patrols, drones, and rapid-response teams with possible unified command posts. Major Police Crackdown: Ecuador’s National Police detained 43 alleged members of Los Choneros and Los Lobos in simultaneous operations, seizing about 2.5 tons of regulated substances, €858,000 in cash, firearms, and even a small plane, with DEA and SOUTHCOM support. Tech & Business: Telconet opened its third Guayaquil data center, Telconet Cloud Center III, expanding local infrastructure for digital transformation. Sports (Ecuadorian link): Transfer talk is heating up around Ecuador defender Joel Ordóñez, with Crystal Palace pushing ahead after Aston Villa’s pursuit stalled. Culture & Community: Cultural Survival hosted an Indigenous Youth Fellowship gathering in Ecuador’s Napo Province, bringing together youth leaders supported by fellowships since 2018.

ICE detentions in Florida: Two Ecuadorian women, a mother (39) and her 19-year-old daughter, were detained by U.S. ICE after hospital treatment for injuries from a serious car crash; authorities say they overstayed visas and moved them from medical care to jail while deportation proceedings continue. Ecuador as a cocaine transit hub: A new U.S. investigation highlights how Ecuador—especially Pacific ports like Guayaquil and Posorja—has become a key link between South American production and global trafficking routes. Amazon emergency call: Indigenous communities meeting in Ecuador warn the Amazon is nearing collapse, citing drug trafficking and oil exploitation, and demand an end to new oil concessions while stepping up territory patrols. Wildlife science from Ecuador: Researchers officially describe a new frog species in Ecuador’s Chocó after resolving a century-old taxonomic mix-up. Football transfer drama (Ecuadorian): Joel Ordóñez’s move is in flux as Crystal Palace and Aston Villa both pursue the Ecuador defender, with reports of a Palace agreement pending a medical.

Libertadores Run: Independiente del Valle beat Colombia’s Tolima 3-1 at home to reach the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, winning 4-1 on aggregate and setting up a two-leg matchup with Flamengo. Ecuador Security Crisis: Ecuador recorded a record 345 murdered minors in the first seven months of 2026, with firearms driving most cases and heavy concentration in the coast, including Guayaquil. Missing Woman Case: The remains of Lizeth Bunshi, missing for 37 days, were found in Quito’s Machángara River; prosecutors confirmed her identity and charged a man tied to her disappearance, with the family pushing for femicide charges. US-Caribbean Strike: The US military killed four in a Caribbean boat strike tied to alleged drug smuggling, with critics again questioning the lack of released proof. El Niño Watch: Ecuador’s weather authorities warn El Niño could become very strong by late 2026/early 2027, bringing heavier rains, floods, and higher temperatures. Ecuador Abroad: Ecuadorian students in China are pursuing careers in traditional Chinese medicine, with one aiming to open a clinic back home. Sports Export: LAFC signed Ecuador midfielder Sergio Vasquez from Orense SC on a permanent deal through 2029-30.

El Niño Watch for Ecuador: Ecuador’s national El Niño risk body says the Pacific event is strengthening and could bring heavier rains, river flooding, and hotter temperatures in late 2026 into early 2027, with NOAA estimating a 90%+ chance of severe impact. U.S.-Ecuador Security Cooperation: Ecuadorian officials say U.S. Special Forces are operating with local troops against drug cartels, with Green Berets reported in Esmeraldas. Travel Advisory: The U.S. State Department updated warnings telling tourists to “reconsider” travel to Manabí and Santa Elena due to rising violence, while Ecuador’s tourism chamber pushes back on broad countrywide framing. Sports Spotlight: Venezuelan deaf swimmer Aarón Montezuma won four gold and one silver at the Youth Pan-American Games for Deaf Youth in Guayaquil. Local Talent Abroad: LAFC signed Ecuador midfielder Sergio Vasquez from Orense SC on a permanent deal. UN Secretary-General Race: Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett edged ahead in a second Security Council straw poll for the next UN chief. Environment & Indigenous Rights: Amazon nations in Ecuador issued a Pan-Amazon mandate calling for self-government, secure territories, and an end to extraction.

Ecuador-U.S. Security Deal: Ecuador’s government approved a ministerial agreement letting U.S. soldiers and contractors enter without visas and with special status, drawing criticism over sovereignty and legal immunity amid the country’s ongoing drug-and-gang violence. Drug-Trafficking Crackdown: Ecuadorian authorities arrested “Caballo,” linked to an Albanian cocaine network, as the U.S. also moves to sanction Ecuador-based trafficking tied to Mexican cartels. Kenya Helicopter Tragedy: A helicopter crash in Kenya killed six tourists and a pilot; the U.S. State Department confirmed five U.S. victims, and Ecuador’s presidency said one victim was Ecuadorian. Rescue at Sea: The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of 27 crew from an Ecuadorian tuna vessel after a fire near the Galápagos, with the crew safely transported to Guayaquil. Trade & Digital Cooperation: Singapore and Ecuador expanded talks on trade, food security, and digitalization, aiming to deepen supply-chain and logistics cooperation. Biodiversity in Ecuador: Researchers reported 69 small mammal species in the Llanganates-Sangay corridor, doubling known counts and raising alarms about conservation versus development.