Excellent information Mike. Thanks. For the first time in my 4.5 years, Riobamba was even affected. There was a prison break here also and amongst the escapees was another particularly dangerous character. We have stayed home today hoping the dust will settle a bit. The people in Ecuador are peaceful and are fed up with these cartels. As far as I can tell, they support running them out of the country, whatever it takes.

Thank u for the update. Ecuador is handling everything quickly. This will blow over. I don't plan to let this sway me from considering Ecuador as my retirement home in the coming years. Stay safe. Sending u much love and support.

From this informative posting and hearing from friends around Ecuador it appears that Naboa is doing the right thing and has the full support of the populous. Life has prevented me, over a number of years, from immigrating. I'll be finally making the move from the US this spring and unless things become untenable I will not be delayed again. Thank you and be safe.

Mike, I know there's some risk in keeping us informed. Thank you for doing it. I hope it doesn't negatively affect you. I have been concerned for all the expats that are living there and pray that no harm or nothing untoward happens to any expats in the country. Please, both of you, stay safe and take care. Enjoy what you can and when you can. Don't let them take that from you, but be wise. I know that you will. God bless.

Thank you for the information Mike - stay aware stay safe - We're praying for Ecuador

Please tell us that the "corrupt judge " (you mentioned) was or shall be arrested?! #intolerable In places like Mexico, the corruption/situation is so bad that "the people/masses" need to take up/bare arms in order to take their country back/defend themselves. 😮

Great information! The political unity around Noboa is encouraging.

Thank you for the update Mike, appreciate it

I found this video titillating...thanks for finding interest from my former countr..Thanks,exciting video.

Thanks for the update. Stay safe.

Thank you for the update, Mike. I have been waiting to hear from you guys with the recent events. Hopefully things will settle as I am due to land in Quito February 2nd for 3 weeks of travel. Cuenca and Manta area. You two be safe and I’ll be watching for updates.

Thank you so much for this excellent news

This will not sway my retirement plans ! Fuerza Ecuador!

Thank you for this update. We have plans to visit your area in a month and will be following your posts regularly. Please take care of yourself and your wife. What a shame it is but there is nowhere without problems, eh? Don.

One big contributing factor is the closure of the US airbase in Ecuador by the outgoing president Correa. The airbase monitored the Colombian border and prevented all this stuff from happening…….

very useful, thanks

Excellent video. Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the update.

Great video with actual information!

Business as usual here in Manta. The beach was quiet today. The problem is not only here in Ecuador. People seam to forget that the whole issue is market driven and the markets for the drugs are in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. No market no gangs. Unfortunately, a drug free world is wishful thinking.

Kris and Mike thinking of you two and wishing you all the best.

This is sad but the inevitable result of ignoring the problem for too long. Money buys influence and these cartels have been able to act with impunity for too long. I wish all Ecuadorans peace and prosperity. Stay safe.

As soon as I heard what happened, I immediately logged on here to see how y’all were doing. If it is safe to do so, continue to give us updates on your safety.

Stay safe

Abrazos vecinos

please stay safe!!

I was thinking to go to Ecuador 😮but now I have to think it twice 😢

It's Fito, not Tito

Thanks a lot for sharing!! I have no intension of not coming to Ecuador as planned and, I still.look very much forward - simply because I believe this will end soon - in fact, I think the Ecuadorian president is working hard to get the cartels out and, I think we need to start looking at exactly where this really comes from....😪

I recentrly watched a german documentary that shows how little school kids are captured in Duran, under the theat of killing their families if they dont join the gangs, devastating to see. It's a mix of El Salvador and Mexico, but the ecuadorian police, judges and politicians are all part of the problem. People say that what's happening now is due to desperation from the cartels side, but i doubt it, i think it's just a display of power, we need external help. Those gangs give the kids everything they need, clothing, food, money, even churches... It's hard to take them out of that "safe" enviroment. If anyone tells you "with Correa things were better", slap him in the face and show him old videos from Correa giving resources and "good press" to Latin Kings and other gangs, he even put a representative from the Latin Kings in Congress or Parliment i think... Now they claim that they are not just a gang, they are the mafia, great!. Take care, all the best.

This seems very coordinated - especially since different cartels are involved. I don't expect them to actually work together. This implies some over-arching control or input by a "major" cartel. Especially with the infiltration / corruption of the prisons, police, politicians, judges, etc. Everyone has a price - and good people can be either bought or coerced (by threats to family). I'm really hoping the AG and the president are well protected - and that they continue to root out the corruption and push back against this bullying. My flight this week was cancelled due the issues with the Boeing 737 aircraft, so I will now be in Manta on Sunday.

The embassy in Quito and consulate in Guayaquil of my country are closed, I am not American nor European. Stay safe.❤

Have there been more frequent power outages since last weekends outbreak of violence? Some of the European news outlets have reported that airlines are cancelling flights. But I haven't been able to confirm. Is there any such news on your end?

I'd ask what its all about but if i find myself in Ecuador I'll need to sort it out.

If i was a foreigner living in Ecuador i definitely wouldn't be reporting on the cartels and criminal networks. Fck dat stay safe

This is sad 😢

Well done. Did I miss the mention of Captain Pico, the Los Lobos leader who also escaped? I think this really is the path to making Ecuador unattractive to the Cartels, leaving the gangs to fend for themselves and be consumed.

Bukele has saved El Salvador.

Short term solution to a long problem that was fueled by the United States of America. If jails in the south follow the US jail system which is only punishment and no rehabilitation there will also be high recidivism rates in the rest of the America's.

Time for a little vacation to Canada kids

UMMMM if I were you I would NOT be showing my face talking about this stuff especially if you are there. IJS

How is this not being reported in the USA?!?!

Isn't it dangerous for you to upload these kinds of videos?

Mexico Ecuador no different

Thanks for the update. Stay safe.