Ecuador Maritime Narcotrafficking Risks & Shipping Security Exposure

Date issued: 14 November 2025

“Ecuador maritime narcotrafficking risks are increasing security threats for merchant shipping as organised criminal groups expand operations around key coastal provinces and port infrastructure. Rising violence linked to drug trafficking networks and the ongoing state of emergency are increasing the exposure of vessels calling Ecuadorian ports to narcotics smuggling and organised crime activity.”

Source: This document has been approved for distribution by Ambrey Analytics Ltd.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Ecuador is currently under a 60-day state of emergency, effective from 5 November 2025, in response to the country’s ongoing security crisis.
• The decree covers five coastal provinces, reflecting the concentration of criminal activity around key drug trafficking routes and port access points.
• No curfews have been implemented as part of the state of emergency.
• Port operations continue without disruption; however, the deteriorating security environment has increased risks to the maritime shipping industry, particularly the threat of vessels being targeted for narcotics smuggling through Ecuadorian ports.

Ecuador Security Crisis and Port Risks

State of Emergency Across Coastal Provinces

The Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has declared a new 60-day state of emergency in five coastal provinces and three municipalities, as an answer to “grave internal unrest” triggered by escalating violence linked to organized crime.

The decree, effective on 5 November 2025, authorizes security forces to enter and search private residences without a warrant and suspends the right to private communication and correspondence in the provinces of Manabi, Guayas, Santa Elena, Los Rios and El Oro. No curfews have been implemented as part of the state of emergency.

ecurity Threats Around Ecuadorian Ports

In the recent past, on 25 August 2025, the Port Authority of Guayaquil, located in the province of Guayas, declared a 60-day state of emergency following the decision by two shipping companies to cease operations at the port, citing a significant escalation in regional violence. Port service providers reported receiving threats from the local gangs, which demanded monthly payments under the threat of kidnapping personnel and attacking vessels in the area.

Analysis of Maritime Narcotrafficking Risks

Ecuador’s Role in Regional Drug Trafficking

Violence in Ecuador remains largely concentrated in the coastal provinces. Ecuador’s location along major drug trafficking routes, and its borders with Peru and Colombia, have made its ports targets for criminal groups involved in international drug smuggling. Recent intelligence and reporting indicate that Ecuador, has become a critical hotspot for narcotics smuggling within legitimate trade routes. Ambrey has observed a rise in seizures linked to Ecuadorian ports.

Growing Risks to Merchant Shipping

In 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared an internal armed conflict as violence linked to organised crime increased across the country. Since then, several states of emergency have been declared, mostly in coastal provinces where criminal groups compete for control of ports and trafficking routes. Local sources report that port operations have not been affected by the current state of emergency. However, Ambrey assesses that vessels calling at Ecuadorian ports face higher exposure to drug trafficking networks amid the ongoing security crisis.

Recent reports, indicate that criminal gangs around the local ports engage in threats and extortion of port personnel, with the objective of facilitating drug trafficking. Today, Ecuador is no longer just a transit country, becoming a significant transit hub for cocaine trafficking in Latin America. Its port infrastructure, strategic geographic position, and ongoing internal security crisis contributed to the successful movement of narcotics from producing countries and increased the risk of vessels being targeted along key routes to North America and Europe.

Recommendations for Merchant Shipping

Merchant shipping is advised to:

• Engage with of industry-recognised intelligence specialist to regularly assess political and security risks to create a comprehensive, dynamic, risk profile for calls to Ecuador.
• Conduct port risk assessments before calling Ecuadorian ports.
• Enhance counternarcotics ship protection measures when calling Ecuadorian ports.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ambrey: +44 203 503 0320, intelligence@ambrey.com

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