AGP Executive Report

Power and El Niño: Ecuador plans to add more than 400 megawatts ahead of peak El Niño months, but low water has already triggered blackouts in Quito, Guayaquil and southern communities. Galápagos Wildlife: Scientists warn that warming seas are reducing marine iguanas’ algae food supply just as trafficking rises; Ecuador has seized at least 48 iguanas this year. Biodiversity: Researchers recorded 15 ant species in Ecuador for the first time, including a new genus record in Yasuní National Park. Mining and Amazon: Canadian briefing notes urged Ecuador to speed mining permits, while the government is reviving plans for oil auctions in contested Amazon territory. Species Protection: A court halted roadwork in jambato harlequin toad habitat in Cotopaxi, citing risks to the rare amphibian. Ocean Conservation: Ecuador’s role in a vast regional marine corridor offers a chance to protect migratory species, but conservation gains depend on real enforcement, not designations alone.

Power and Water: Low river flows at the Mazar hydroelectric complex triggered unscheduled blackouts in Quito, Guayaquil and communities near Cuenca, exposing Ecuador’s reliance on hydropower as water levels fall. Shrimp Industry: New electricity tariffs of up to 35 cents per kilowatt-hour are adding pressure on shrimp producers already facing rising fuel and feed costs, the industry chamber warns. Amazon Oil: Ecuador is reviving plans for an oil auction in the southern Amazon, renewing a dispute over extraction on Indigenous territories and in fragile forest. Wildlife and Roads: A court has halted road works in the Angamarca region to protect the habitat of the once-thought-extinct jambato harlequin toad. Pollution and Flooding: Residents are seeking dialogue after an oil spill was reported in the Cupa River, while flooding has damaged thousands of homes across three provinces and inundated homes in Molleturo as El Niño pressures build.

Wildlife and Roads: A court has halted road works in Angamarca to protect the only known habitat of the jambato harlequin toad, a species once thought extinct. Oil Pollution: A crude leak from the SOTE pipeline contaminated the Cupa River in Esmeraldas; water intake was suspended as residents sought a fuller response. Flooding: Heavy rain damaged thousands of homes across Guayas, El Oro and Los Ríos, while flooding also hit Molleturo near Cuenca. Climate and Energy: El Niño pressures are raising concern over Ecuador’s weather and cocoa crops, as drought-driven power shortages have forced longer electricity cuts for industry. Mining Conflict: In Buenos Aires, questions persist over illegal mining on a company’s concessions and the security response to community protests.

Oil Spill: A crude leak from the SOTE pipeline contaminated Ecuador’s Cupa River in Esmeraldas province. Authorities contained the leak and suspended water intake at the San Mateo plant, while residents called for a fuller response. Flooding: Heavy rain across Guayas, El Oro and Los Ríos damaged 4,847 homes, destroyed 16 and flooded wells; rivers also damaged homes and roads near Cuenca. Power and Climate: Drought-driven electricity rationing continues despite recent rain, as Ecuador braces for El Niño risks to energy supplies and farming. A study including Ecuador found extreme rainfall can damage cocoa flowers and young pods and spread disease. Amazon Oil Expansion: Indigenous representatives reject plans to tender oil blocks across seven peoples’ territories, warning that extraction would bring pollution and lasting harm without consultation.

Flood Emergency: Heavy rain swelled the Frío and Blanco rivers in Molleturo, west of Cuenca, damaging at least 14 homes, sweeping away a building and forcing families to evacuate. No deaths were reported. Amazon Oil Frontier: Indigenous representatives reject plans to tender oil blocks across territories of seven peoples, warning extraction could repeat decades of pollution in the northern Amazon; they say communities were not consulted. Cocoa and Climate: New research including Ecuador finds extreme rainfall can damage cocoa flowers and young pods, disrupt pollination and fuel disease—risks that may be easier to anticipate through climate forecasts. Drought and Power: Ecuador has raised industrial electricity rationing to 72 hours a week amid drought-driven shortages, while businesses warn prolonged outages threaten jobs and operations. Mining and Community Rights: An investigation into Australian firm Hanrine’s Ecuador operations raised questions about illegal mining on its concessions and the security response to community protests; the company denies the allegations.

Cocoa and Climate: New research identifies extreme rainfall as a major threat to Ecuador’s cocoa harvest, damaging flowers and young pods, disrupting pollination and encouraging fungal disease. Researchers say climate-linked forecasts could help farmers prepare. Amazon Oil Frontier: Indigenous communities reject President Daniel Noboa’s plan to tender oil blocks across the territories of seven peoples in the south-central Amazon without consultation, citing pollution and lasting harm from extraction in the northern Amazon. Mining in Intag: Conservationists warn that proposed mining across nearly 5,000 hectares could threaten the valley’s rare wildlife and forests, which buffer the Cotacachi-Cayapas reserve. Drought and Power Cuts: Ecuador’s worsening electricity crisis is forcing major businesses to endure three days of power cuts, as industry leaders warn the outages put jobs and companies at risk. El Niño Risks: The strengthening climate event could disrupt Pacific tuna fisheries into 2027, while analysts warn Ecuador is especially exposed to its economic effects.

Drought and Power: Ecuador has raised industrial electricity cuts to 72 hours a week as drought strains hydropower reserves. Businesses warn outages could disrupt production and put shrimp cold chains at risk; Colombia has also suspended electricity exports to Ecuador. El Niño: A very strong event is expected to shift tuna fishing patterns across the Pacific into 2027, while the World Bank warns Ecuador’s economy is especially vulnerable to its effects. Mining and Biodiversity: Conservationists fear proposed mining across nearly 5,000 hectares in Intag Valley could threaten rare species and wildlife corridors linked to Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Wildfires: Dry conditions have fueled fires across Azuay, burning more than 1,700 hectares.

Drought and Power: Ecuador’s industrial users face 72 hours of weekly power cuts from October 12 as drought strains hydropower reserves. Businesses warn prolonged outages could disrupt production and threaten shrimp exports’ cold chain. El Niño Risk: A strengthening El Niño could add pressure to Ecuador’s economy and food security; the World Bank has identified the country as among Latin America’s most vulnerable. Mining and Biodiversity: Plans for mining across nearly 5,000 hectares in Intag Valley could threaten cloud-forest wildlife and a corridor linked to Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Wildfires: Dry conditions have fueled fires across Azuay, burning more than 1,700 hectares.

Power and Drought: Ecuador will impose 72 hours of weekly electricity cuts on industrial users from Oct. 12 as drought reduces hydropower supplies and strains the Mazar reservoir. Aquaculture businesses warn outages could disrupt production and cold storage. Regional Hazards: A magnitude 7.6 earthquake in Panama prompted tsunami warnings for Ecuador’s Pacific coast, alongside several neighboring countries, as authorities assessed damage near the epicenter. Mining and Biodiversity: Conservationists fear proposed mining across nearly 5,000 hectares in the Intag Valley could threaten rare species and wildlife corridors connected to Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Climate Risks: Ecuador is among Latin America’s economies most vulnerable to El Niño, the World Bank warns; dry conditions have also fueled fires that burned more than 1,700 hectares in Azuay.

Pacific Hazard: A powerful earthquake off southern Panama triggered tsunami warnings for Ecuador’s coast. The alerts were precautionary; Panama reported damage and aftershocks as authorities assessed the impact. Energy and Drought: Ecuador will impose 72 hours of weekly power cuts on industrial users from Oct. 12, as drought strains hydropower reserves. Aquaculture businesses warn outages could disrupt shrimp production and cold storage. Mining and Wildlife: Conservationists fear proposed mining across nearly 5,000 hectares in Intag Valley could damage cloud forests that shelter rare species and connect to Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Wildfires: Dry conditions have fueled fires across Azuay, burning more than 1,700 hectares. El Niño Risk: Ecuador is among the region’s economies most vulnerable to El Niño, the World Bank warns, raising concerns for food security and livelihoods.

Power Shortages: Ecuador will impose 72 hours of weekly power cuts on industrial users from October 12 as drought strains water reserves and Colombia suspends electricity exports. Shrimp producers warn outages could disrupt cold storage and raise costs. Disaster Alert: A powerful earthquake in southern Panama triggered a precautionary tsunami warning for Ecuador’s coast; the threat was later lifted. Amazon Voices: Indigenous youth in Ecuador are using rap to defend the Amazon. El Niño Risks: Ecuador’s economy is among Latin America’s most vulnerable to El Niño, while worsening climate conditions threaten food security across the region. Wildfires: Dry conditions have fueled fires that burned more than 1,700 hectares in Azuay.

Regional Emergency: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Panama triggered tsunami warnings for Ecuador and other Pacific nations; a powerful aftershock and dozens of smaller tremors followed. Mining and Consultation: A court declined to halt exploration at the Silver-1 project in Azuay while a legal challenge over Indigenous consultation proceeds. Prosecutors are also investigating allegations of concealed environmental information in its authorization. Wildfire Risk: Fires burned more than 1,700 hectares in Azuay as dry conditions persisted. El Niño: The World Bank warns Ecuador is among Latin America’s economies most vulnerable to the phenomenon’s effects. Amazon Voices: Indigenous youth are using rap in their own languages to defend their territories and speak out against extractive industries.

Power and El Niño: Colombia has halted electricity transfers to Ecuador, citing shortages and El Niño risk. The World Bank warns Ecuador faces major economic losses, with flooding on the coast and in the Amazon, drought in the highlands and power cuts already affecting businesses. Galápagos Wildlife: A study finds reducing accidental catches of sharks, turtles and sea lions could protect wildlife more effectively than fishing bans alone in the Galápagos Marine Reserve, where tuna fishing is vital to local communities. Wildfires: Dry conditions have fueled fires that burned more than 1,700 hectares in Azuay.

Galápagos Marine Life: A new study finds reducing fishing bycatch could protect sharks more effectively than no-fishing zones alone, as tuna lines entering the Galápagos Marine Reserve also catch sharks, turtles and sea lions. El Niño and Fisheries: Record-warm Pacific waters are pushing tuna and other fish away from Ecuador’s coast. In Santa Rosa, some fishers report near-empty catches or have stopped going to sea. Power and Climate Risk: Colombia has formally suspended electricity exports to Ecuador, citing its own supply risks as El Niño strains hydropower. Climate and Elections: Ecuador’s electoral council is weighing relocation or postponement at 368 polling places threatened by floods and landslides; the national weather institute says reliable forecasts are available only about a week ahead. Fires and Water: Dry conditions have fueled fires across more than 1,700 hectares in Azuay. Meanwhile, Ecuador has formed delegations for binational water-management committees in the Zarumilla and Puyango-Tumbes basins.

Galápagos Wildlife: A new study finds that reducing fishing bycatch may protect sharks more effectively than no-fishing zones alone. Tuna longlines can drift into the marine reserve and catch sharks, turtles and sea lions, while local communities depend on tuna for food and livelihoods. El Niño and Energy: Colombia has formally suspended electricity exports to Ecuador amid growing supply risks as El Niño strains regional power systems. Record-high Pacific temperatures off Ecuador and Peru are also bringing unusually early heavy rains and disrupting coastal fisheries, with fishers reporting sharply reduced catches. Azuay Fires: Dry conditions have fueled fires across the province, burning more than 1,700 hectares. Shared Water Management: Ecuador has established delegations for binational committees overseeing the Zarumilla and Puyango-Tumbes basins, bringing government agencies and local representatives into cross-border water planning.

El Niño: Pacific waters off Ecuador reached 28–29°C, up to 7°C above seasonal averages, bringing heavy coastal rains earlier than expected and making past forecasts unreliable. Fisheries: Warming seas are pushing tuna and anchovies away from Ecuador’s coast; some Santa Rosa fishers have stopped going out as catches collapse. Wildfires: Dry conditions have burned more than 1,700 hectares across Azuay, adding fire risk as extreme weather intensifies. Energy: Colombia has formally suspended electricity exports to Ecuador, citing domestic shortages linked to El Niño and lower water inflows. Water Cooperation: Ecuador has completed its delegations for joint water-management committees in the Zarumilla and Puyango-Tumbes river basins, bringing national agencies and local representatives into cross-border planning. Oil Policy: Ecuador announced a new oil auction for later this year, a move with potential consequences for ecosystems and communities in drilling areas.