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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Ecuador International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Ecuador International Parental Child Abduction Information

Ecuador

Ecuador
Republic of Ecuador
Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

There was no change to the advisory level.  The "terrorism” risk indicator was added.  Advisory summary was updated.  

Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Do Not Travel to these areas due to terrorism and crime:

  • Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.
  • The cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas in the province of El Oro.
  • The cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo in the province of Los Rios.
  • The canton of Duran, in the province of Guayas.
  • Esmeraldas City and all areas north of Esmeraldas City in Esmeraldas province.
  • The area north of Esmeraldas City to the Colombian border and east to Carchi province.

Reconsider Travel to these areas due to terrorism and crime:

  • Guayaquil north of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.
  • El Oro province outside the cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas.
  • Los Rios province outside the cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo.
  • All areas south of Esmeraldas city in Esmeraldas province.
  • The provinces of Sucumbios, Manabi, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo.

Advisory Summary: 

Crime and kidnapping

Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Violent crime typically associated with narcotrafficking is common. It includes murder, assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery.  Areas with transnational criminal organizations see much higher rates of violent crime. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping and extortion.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ecuador. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. 

Demonstrations

  • Demonstrations happen across the country.
  • They are usually driven by political or economic reasons.
  • Demonstrators often block local roads and major highways without warning, disrupting access to important infrastructure.  

Local and U.S. Government Assistance

  • Most of Ecuador’s land is empty and remote, especially outside big towns and cities.
  • Local and U.S. government help may be very limited in remote areas. This may cause delays for U.S. citizens in remote areas.

Land Border Restrictions

  • Foreign citizens entering the country by land from Colombia or Peru must show a certificate of no criminal record. This certificate must be apostilled. You can find more information on the Ministry of Tourism’s webpage and at Ecuador.Travel.
  • The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in Ecuador cannot help you get the necessary documents for crossing a land border.
  • U.S. citizens planning to enter Ecuador via a land border should check the State Department’s Office of Authentications webpage and Criminal Records Check webpage. These pages have information on getting a criminal record check and apostille from the United States.

Read the destination information page for additional information on traveling to Ecuador.

Risks in specific areas

Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to these areas for any reason due to terrorism and crime.

  • Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.
  • The cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas in the Province of El Oro.
  • The cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo in the province of Los Rios.
  • The canton of Duran, in the province of Guayas.
  • Esmeraldas city and all areas north of Esmeraldas city in Esmeraldas province.

Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.

Terrorists, Transnational Criminal Groups, and Local Gangs

  • Terrorist and other criminal organizations often commit violent acts in these areas, including sudden attacks in public places, often without warning.
  • Violent crimes can involve murder, targeted assassinations, armed robberies, bombings, kidnappings, and assaults.
  • Violence in these areas has risen both in frequency and brutality recently, posing a security risk to U.S. citizens.
  • U.S. government employees working in Ecuador must get special permission to travel to these areas.  
  • The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas.

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel to these areas due to terrorism and crime:

  • Guayaquil, north of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.
  • El Oro province outside the cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas.
  • Los Rios province outside the cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo.
  • All areas south of Esmeraldas city in Esmeraldas province.
  • The provinces of Sucumbios, Manabi, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo.

Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.

Terrorist and other criminal organizations have engaged in violent activity in these areas. Recently, this violence has increased. U.S. government personnel must be very careful and stay alert when traveling in and around these areas. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas.

If you decide to travel to Ecuador:

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. 
  • Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas.
  • Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings.
  • Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds. 
  • Check local media for breaking news.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Ecuador.
  • Prepare a plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Ecuador.
  • We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel.  Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
  • Review our information on U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad and for Victims of Crime.

Review Travel to High-Risk Areas

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Quito

Avigiras E12-170 y  Eloy Alfaro 
Quito, Ecuador
Telephone: 593-2-398-5000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 593-2-398-5000 or 593-9-9788-3222
Email: Consular Navigator (English), Consular Navigator (Spanish)

Consulates

U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil
Santa Ana St. and Jose Rodriguez Bonin Ave.
San Eduardo Sector
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Telephone: 593-4-371-7000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 593-4-371-7000
Email: 

Ecuador and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Convention (Hague Abduction Convention) since April 1, 1992.

For information concerning travel to Ecuador, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, health conditions, currency and entry regulations, and crime and security, please see country-specific information for Ecuador.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here. 

The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention.  In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizen Services, Office of Children’s Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Ecuador.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.

Contact information:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website

The Ecuadorian Central Authority is at the Ministerio de Justicia, Derechos Humanos y Cultos.  The office can be reached at:

Autoridad Central
Dirección de Acceso a la Justicia, Protección y Reparación Integral
Secretaria de Derechos Humanos
Ministerio de Justicia, Derechos Humanos y Cultos
Av. General Francisco Robles and Av. General Ulpiano Páez 10th floor
Quito, Ecuador
Telephone: (+593) 02 395 5840 ext: 212
Email: autoridadcentral@minjusticia.gob.ec
Website: https://www.derechoshumanos.gob.ec/

To initiate a Hague case for return or for access to a child abducted to Ecuador, the left-behind parent must submit a Hague application to the ECA, either directly or through the USCA.  The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to ECA, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Ecuadorian central authorities.  Attorney fees, if necessary, are the sole responsibility of the person hiring the attorney.  Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.

A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in, Ecuador.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Ecuador. The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand Ecuador-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

Retaining a private attorney is not required in order to file Hague Abduction Convention with courts in Ecuador. The ECA will act on behalf of the left-behind parent when a private attorney is not retained. Beginning in January 2012, per an agreement entered with ECA, the Ecuadorian Office of Public Defenders assumed the role of legal representation on behalf of the ECA for left-behind parents in Hague Convention cases.    

The U.S. Embassy in Quito maintains a list of attorneys. Additionally, the US Consulate General in Guayaquil maintains a list of attorneys that specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

The Ecuadorian Central Authority strongly promotes mediation in abduction cases and will attempt to initiate mediation in all Hague Abduction Convention cases. 

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: May 15, 2019

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Quito
Avigiras E12-170 y
Eloy Alfaro
Quito, Ecuador
Telephone
593-2-398-5000
Emergency
593-2-398-5000
Fax
No Fax
Email
Consular Navigator (English),Consular Navigator (Spanish),
Website
https://ec.usembassy.gov/

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