The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador are monitoring the situation following reports of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) near the Sheraton Hotel and Mall del Sol in Guayaquil. Authorities have noted a rise in the use of such devices by criminal groups in Ecuador in recent months.
Officials stated, "There is no indication that the October 14th incident was targeting U.S. citizens or that a specific threat exists for U.S. citizens in Ecuador." The embassy reiterated existing guidance advising citizens to reconsider travel to Guayaquil, particularly areas south of Av. Portete de Tarqui.
The Travel Advisory for Ecuador was recently updated to include a terrorism indicator, alongside existing indicators for civil unrest, kidnapping, and crime. The advisory provides information on areas where travelers are advised to reconsider travel (Level 3) or not travel (Level 4). More details are available on the Embassy website.
For assistance, U.S. citizens can contact the U.S. Embassy in Quito at +(593)(2) 398-5000 or ACSQuito@state.gov, and the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil at +(593)(4) 371-7000 or ACSGuayaquil@state.gov.