Ecuador: Transportation safety advisory

Event

British authorities have released a travel advisory warning of an increase in robberies on interstate buses throughout Ecuador in recent months. According to the advisory, robberies have occurred on buses traveling between the cities of Ambato, Baños, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Latacunga, Puyo, Otavalo, Quilotoa, Quito, and Tulcán. The majority of such incidents took place at night.

Furthermore, the advisory reiterates the continuing risk of express kidnappings, which generally entail the brief abduction of an individual who is forced to withdraw money from multiple ATMs. In most cases, express kidnappings take place in unregistered taxis but can also occur in licensed taxis. They most commonly occur in urban centers such as Quito and Guayaquil, and are less common, though still problematic, in Manta and Cuenca.

Advice

Individuals in Ecuador are advised to remain vigilant, avoid traveling on interstate buses after nightfall, take only registered taxis, and adhere to advice issued by their home governments.