News, weather and events
Ecuador reference library
Background guides to Ecuador’s politics, economy, history, environment and everyday life.
Evergreen context for understanding the people, institutions and issues behind the news.
Government & Politics
5 articles
The Triple A case is a criminal prosecution concerning the alleged diversion and illegal sale of Ecuador’s subsidized fuel. It involves Aquiles Álvarez, the mayor of Guayaquil; other individuals; and six companies, several connected with Álvarez’s family and its fuel-distribution businesses.
Series: Ecuador Legal System · Part 6
Read explainer →The Goleada case is a major money-laundering investigation involving Aquiles Álvarez, the mayor of Guayaquil; members of his family; and several companies connected with their fuel-distribution businesses.
Series: Ecuador Legal System · Part 5
Read explainer →Ecuador Family Law for Immigrants Marriage, unión de hecho, divorce, children, and inheritance (including wills) — with Canada comparisons Ecuador is a civil-law country: family rules come mainly from written codes and the Constitution, and procedures/formalities matter a lot. Canada is bijural: most provinces use common law, Quebec uses civil law for private matters, and federal law applies nationwide in areas like…
Series: Ecuador Legal System · Part 3
Read explainer →Civil-Law Disputes in Ecuador (Contractors, Car Repairs, Services) — An Immigrant Explainer with Canada Comparison This explainer focuses on everyday civil disputes immigrants often face in Ecuador: a contractor who didn’t finish work, a remodel gone wrong, a mechanic who “fixed” the car but the problem returned, a deposit not returned, or a service you paid for that wasn’t delivered as promised. It also adds a prac…
Series: Ecuador Legal System · Part 2
Read explainer →Ecuador’s Legal System — an Immigrant-Friendly Explainer (with Canada comparison) Audience: Immigrants/expats who are used to other legal systems (especially Canada).Scope: A practical overview of how Ecuador’s system generally works, with extra clarity on denuncias and the police–prosecutor relationship. 0) The “30-second” big picture Ecuador is a civil-law country: the main rules are found in written laws and code…
Series: Ecuador Legal System · Part 1
Read explainer →